Overview
- The council issued a public apology and accepted responsibility after satellite canopy checks revealed 46 unapproved removals at Elizabeth Baillie Park.
- An internal review pointed to poor site management and missing tree protection measures during the $8.1 million project, which had originally approved the removal of 11 trees.
- Offsets now include planting 94 new trees and 23,160 plants in addition to earlier landscaping plans, with the bulk of planting scheduled between May and August.
- Mayor Karen Vernon ordered a formal investigation to identify errors and accountability and to prevent further losses through stronger processes.
- Blackoak, which is redeveloping the adjacent Elizabeth Baillie House, said it had no involvement in the park works as residents criticized the loss of mature habitat and oversight.