An enlarged tree branch fell in the children’s park at Ebers and Saratoga on Sunday, August 10, which could’ve seriously injured or even killed any of the 12 toddlers playing at the park that day had they been right underneath it.
A local parent immediately contacted the city — as well as the Rag about this. He had one question: “Have recent city budget cuts affected tree maintenance and surveillance at public parks?” He wrote:
This is unacceptable, this is the only child’s park in Ocean Beach. This deserves more awareness and exposure.
He wrote:
My wife and I are very shook by what we saw (we saw it fall in real time) Because they were many children, including our own, in that area minutes prior. We have many family pictures picnicking under that tree as well. It just adds to a growing sentiment we have about the city falling short in protecting its residents, including its most vulnerable—children.
They emailed a number of authorities and outlets they said. But on Monday, Aug. 25, he wrote:
My wife is very upset. No response from parks and rec, voice of San Diego, or Jen Campbell’s office.
Trying Tera Lawson Remer’s next. Really want to spread awareness so that it doesn’t happen again and seriously hurt a child
I’m sure we could track any of these delays and tree maintenance and testing to the city deficit and fund mismanagement.
On the 26th, there was some news. He wrote:
Trees in city maintained children’s parks should be tested for safety by arborist, right? Looks like they’re doing maintenance today because of our reports. But the goal would be for these things to happen before a 2 ton branch Falls and a children’s park that would’ve killed any child.
Today, the 27th he wrote:
I work in the medical field, and when we address issues of patient safety, and potential harm, we would call this a ““ near miss“. Near misses deserve just as much respect as patient harm events, we usually perform a root cause analysis, which in this case would include city budgeting, etc.…
Neglecting our trees is a very concerning theme that is consistent with our City Council and specifically our Parks Department. I have posted repeatedly about the lack of tree maintenance in Balboa Park, in Ocean Beacb near the elementary school and in Point Loma park just to name a few places. They don’t water or prune our trees which can greate dangerous fire conditions and weak branches. They claim budget cuts every time something is neglected. Then stop taking our property taxes! I’m relieved no child or adult was injured by this near miss. Thank you for your efforts in communicating your concern. San Diego needs to realize our trees out everything to this city! Sources of shade and beauty, They cannot be ignored.