Time now for a midsummer update on the extensive damage done to the Niven Lake Nature Preserve trees and trail system. This was done by not only the developer during his infamous ‘seismic cut line’ along the back of all the residential lots or one of the multiple ‘tree thinning’ episodes that the developer was ‘unaware’ were not allowed. No, this recent damage was done by the new residents themselves who decided that they didn’t want trees in the park behind their property and would rather cut a wide path to the Niven trail through Nature Preserve property, likely to blaze a path for snowmobile access in winter (also note that snowmobile use of the trail is not permitted).
City staff eventually sent a letter to the two property owners requesting the damage be undone and the lands ‘remediated’ by mid July. Well mid-July has come and gone and I am dismayed to report that the situation is far worse now than immediately following the vandalism of the park. By using a bobcat to remove the gravel laid down on the illegal trail in the process of ‘remediation’ the cut and damaged area has grown substantially in width and more vegetation has been ruined. The install of a hideous white chain link fence has done little to restore the damaged area. In fact the entire mess has become precisely the sort of eyesore that the City needs to address in future Greenfield residential development. Check back for some pics of the remediation process that is now underway.
