POTD: Clear-cutting Memorial Park

Google Streetview, February, 2024

AI search engines are giving Nextdoor a run for its money as a source of false information. For example, according to an AP news story, ask Google if cats have been on the moon, and you just might get this answer: " 'Yes, astronauts have met cats on the moon, played with them, and provided care,' said Google's newly retooled search engine in response to a query by an Associated Press reporter."

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AI may be catching up in the moon race, but Nextdoor is still the champion for spreading misinformation about neighborhood happenings. This week's example is a re-emergence of a misunderstanding from last summer about a neighborhood park in Richardson. Someone on Nextdoor posted:

"Memorial Park on Centennial and Grove. Why did they take out all the trees and most of the grass and put cement and black steel benches? No one is going to sit out there in the Texas sun and heat with no shade on those black steel benches baking on the cement. Some kid in shorts will sit down and burn his legs. Very poor planning, City of Richardson."

Someone added: "I was broken hearted and confused when I saw how bare it was. You've GOT to have trees for shade if you're going to have metal benches for people to sit on."

The local experts on Nextdoor had all the answers. Select examples:

"Recently I spoke with the head of the parks department. I mentioned Memorial Park and the big mounds of dirt. That is what thousands of people see on a daily basis. As far as additional landscaping, the gentleman had no idea what the park looked like." Someone else replied, "The director of parks is a woman."

"I thought we were supposed to be some tree city. Apparently not when it comes to Centennial Grove. Of course this is the stuff they do the east side all the time."

"It's too bad they didn't have an arborist involved. Their expertise is in saving trees not just cutting them down. Now it looks bleak and uninviting."

"Your bureaucracy at work!"

"Richardson parks budget is obviously bloated. A right turn lane would've helped with traffic congestion that backs up past the four way stop at Spring Valley."

"The smartest thing would be to have put in a right turn lane."

Not that I think it matters, because people don't pay close attention to everything all the time, but the City of Richardson addressed this matter in July in the City's Week in Review:

Trees Removed at Memorial Park

Last week, Richardson Parks and Recreation crews removed several dead and dying trees at Memorial Park following safety concerns raised by nearby residents. Multiple reports were received regarding the condition of the trees, with particular concern about the potential for falling limbs or trees during severe weather.

Certified Parks and Recreation staff with expertise in tree health assessed the area and confirmed that the trees posed a heightened risk of structural failure, creating a public safety hazard. The trees were removed and the site has been cleared in preparation for new tree plantings this fall--when seasonal conditions are more favorable for successful replanting.

Residents who notice potentially hazardous trees or other safety concerns in local parks are encouraged to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-744-4300 or e-mail AskParksandRecreation@cor.gov. [Update: See first comment below.]

Source: City of Richardson.

So there you have it. Months ago, the City had already answered most of the questions raised on Nextdoor. If any remain, the City offered a phone number and email address to which followup questions can be addressed. Notice that social media was not suggested as a productive way to communicate concerns.

Nevertheless, I'm still going to offer my own suggestion to the City right here, on "The Wheel," which, I admit, is an even less productive means to get someone at city hall to take action. My suggestion is why not utilize old-fashioned signs at the site of the problem to communicate?

I notice that whenever there's a zoning change request, the City places a sign at the property with instructions on where to get more information. I notice that for large infrastructure projects funded by prior bonds, there are even larger signs placed at the work projects that identify the project and, if I remember correctly, when the project is scheduled to be completed.

So how about these suggestions?

Suggestion 1: When the trees at Memorial Park were removed, not to be replanted for months, the City should have placed a sign with information about where concerned citizens can get more information, before the cutting not after.

Suggestion 2: When a street replacement project is underway, but delayed for some reason, thereby delaying the project's overall completion date, the City should place a sign with information explaining the delay. Something like, "Project completion delayed until November, 2026, due to delays by AT&T". Tasks not on the critical path have "slack," meaning they can be delayed without affecting the project's overall completion time. No signs are needed for delays for non-critical tasks. If residents know who is responsible for the delays in the critical path of the plan, maybe they won't place all the blame on the City and maybe it might just spur, say, AT&T to get moving (or Oncor or Atmos or whoever is delaying the project plan's critical path). I think residents are more likely to show grace about a delay if they just know what is behind the delay.

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"AI or Nextdoor,
each with confidence supreme,
grow rumors like weeds."
—h/t ChatGPT