Neighbors of Van Dorn Park advocating for more landscaping after losing over 70 trees

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Neighbors of Van Dorn Park are pushing for more landscaping to beautify the area.

Weather conditions have taken a toll on the aging trees, forcing their removal, with fewer planted in their place.

According to Diane Walkowiak, over 70 trees have been removed in the past six years.

“We are losing our shade, our wildlife habitat and the beauty of the park unless we start replacing these trees,” she said.

Since the removal started, volunteers have taken it upon themselves to restore the area.

So far, they have planted around 30 trees. But they always seem to fall behind.

“The planting of new trees started back in November of 2022, and volunteers from the area worked with Parks and Recreation,” Walkowiak said. “They provided the trees, and we provided the help and water afterwards. We planted about seventeen trees back then, but at the same time, they removed 21.”

It’s not just the loss of shade that the trees once provided. It’s the effect it has on the animals.

“We have foxes, we have deer,” Walkowiak said. “There are a lot of animals that choose this park. Many of these trees support the insects that support the birds that people love to watch. It’s not just the beauty and the shade; there are other things to consider, such as wildlife habitat.”

Now, they’re calling on Lincoln Parks and Recreation to lend a helping hand.

Lincoln Parks & Rec provided a statement to Channel 8 about the replanting in Van Dorn Park:

“The City continues to prioritize tree planting in Lincoln’s parks. We appreciate the Friends of Van Dorn Park and the broader community for their ongoing advocacy for the park and its trees. Currently, the Parks Department is planning additional tree plantings in the park and views this as a continuous, long-term effort.”