SAVE CHERRY VALLEY PARK
We,
the undersigned, urge Petaluma City Schools to stop the destruction
of Cherry Valley Park and reconsider the proposed classroom project
that would remove approximately 30 healthy, mature native trees.
Cherry Valley Park is an important community green space that
provides shade, cleaner air, wildlife habitat, and a safe outdoor
area for students, families, and neighbors. Once these mature trees
are cut down, the environmental damage cannot be undone.
We support expanding educational facilities, but there is room at
Cherry Valley School to add classrooms without eliminating the park.
The district can meet student needs while also preserving valuable
green space. We believe we can have both the park and the new
classroom.
Removing the park will increase heat, reduce tree canopy, worsen
air quality, and permanently change the character of the
neighborhood. At a time when climate resilience and environmental
stewardship are more important than ever, destroying dozens of mature
trees is the wrong decision.
We call on Petaluma City Schools to:
- Halt the current construction plan until they can do an environmental review of the
project.
- Explore alternative locations for
new classrooms
- Commit to a transparent public process that prioritizes
environmental sustainability and community input
Cherry Valley Park is a community asset worth protecting. We ask
the district to choose a solution that supports both students and the
environment.
Please, reconsider this design. These are healthy, mature native trees and the park provides a place for people to go and sit and be in shade and clean air. Do NOT cut these trees down. Think better, design better.