Friday at Independence Park in Pearland, there were bulldozers and dump trucks where old oak trees once stood.
Nearly 30 trees were removed over the last week, some between 75 and 100 years old.
Erick Carraso said he misses seeing the trees when he runs through the park.
“I don’t think that’s really fair to the community,” Carraso said. “If relocating them is not an option, I’m sure they can figure something else out for engineering or drainage of some sort.”
Many Pearland residents agree. They have been sounding off on social media about the trees.
“They’re pretty up in arms because they don’t know the progress,” said Lisa Diese.
Diese started the non-profit “Trees for Pearland,” and says she supports the tree removal because it’ll lead to better drainage from the creek that runs through the park.
“This park has not been improved in probably 40 years. They needed desperately to put new drainage in here,” Diese added.
Brazoria Drainage District was in charge of the tree removal.
The foreman of the project declined an on-camera interview, but says the removal is part of its vital flood control design.
The district is doubling the capacity of Mary’s Creek, which Drone 11 flew over.
The foreman said the oak trees were in the way of expanding the channel and that the expansion will protect the park in future storms.
Hurricane Harvey left it ravaged.
The City of Pearland also plans to build new trails, an amphitheater, playground, and parking lot at Independence Park.
The park is closed to the public while crews work on both projects.