A sampling of letters written to city officials over the past four days.

February 6, 2024

Please pause the Smith Hazel Park project to allow for a public hearing and informed public input on this plan.  The wholesale destruction of so many trees seems unnecessary and wasteful of irreplaceable resources, the trees.  Perry Park is in close proximity to Smith Hazel and is already level.  Why not put a walking track there and leave the exterior of Smith Hazel as it is.  If the big deal is to put in pickle ball courts, what research have you done to determine that there is a demand for this?  Seems to me the impromptu horseshoe park that was created nearby might suggest an interest in that instead.  Once the cutting is done, the character of the park will be entirely changed.  I don’t know of anyone who wants this.    The city is once again being tone deaf to the desires of the community.  I believe the grounds can be improved without destroying everything that is there.

While I’m always happy to hear about our local parks being improved, I was surprised to see the plans for Smith Hazel involved razing the existing park, including the trees.  Please pause the Smith Hazel Park project to allow for a public hearing and informed public input on this plan.

Please reconsider this decision!  We appreciate the need for a face lift for Smith Hazel As it has been neglected, but feel an alternative to cutting so many of the trees is appropriate.  It would also create a cohesive relationship between city officials & the public which is desperately needed.  Thank you.

If not for Aikenites who said no, our downtown parkways would all be paved. Be the leaders today who our children and grandchildren will one day thank.

The city has a fiduciary obligation to maintain the value of its assets and land by not destroying trees that are part of the designation of “TREE CITY USA”.

It’s wonderful that the park is getting upgraded facilities; I’d just love to know that Aiken’s important legacy as a Tree City is being honored by making every effort to preserve mature, healthy trees in parks and public areas Thank you!

Council actions taken without public input should be carefully considered, given the ensnarling litigation the City’s recent rash actions have engendered. Slow it down, listen, build consensus.  

Another important city council project that is being rushed through without public input.   Lessons are not being learned by Aiken Government

It can take 100 years to replace those trees. 100 tree years is much more expensive than just revising the plan to remove as few as possible

Removing trees seems to be the least creative solution for this development problem. It will have a detrimental effect: the temperature of this park will increase and use of the park will decrease. That seems to be the exact opposite of what the goal should be.  This project needs to be paused and the city needs to listen to the valid concerns of its residents and revise the plans to retain ALL of the trees. Find creative solutions and obtain ADA approval for equivalencies if necessary.  Aiken can do much better than this.

As a native Aikenite, I am dismayed by this blatant disregard for public opinion regarding the destruction of trees for no discernible reason and in complete opposition to Aiken’s supposed designation as a Tree City. 

I live in this area and regularly enjoy neighborhood walks. I also swim there. Shade trees are extremely beneficial and should not be removed willy nilly as you caused to happen on Williamsburg. Lob Lolly pines are not the equal of hardwoods. FYI, I attended the breakfast meeting at Smith Hazel that had to do with canvassing area residents re our preferences and concerns for the future of the public spaces. I thought the survey questions were poorly conceived and were structured in such a way as to elicit a preconceived view. Even so, they in no way presaged the current plan. These are public spaces and the public should be included in the planning stages.

My main concern is that with the removal of trees and then paving – it will be extremely hot in the summer for the kids and adults to even enjoy the park. Also another concern is water runoff with all the pavement that will replace grass.

The people who live in the area and will use the park have asked you to do so.  Please respect them and set an open hearing for discussion and idea sharing.  Please respect the legal process for public input.

At the very least, PLEASE pause the Smith Hazel Park project to allow for a public hearing and informed public input on this plan.  A lot of explanation is in order, and the public has the right to know–and decide.

 Aiken can do this project better with public support. Please!

I’m always concerned when trees are involved – and 68 sounds excessive – is this really the best solution? …and why no interaction with the public on the matter – that sounds like you would prefer not to have the response?Please pause the Smith Hazel Park project to allow for a public hearing and informed public input on this plan – having the public with you would bode well for the success/effect of the project…

Removing “68 trees including 54 of 102 significant trees, 6 of 31 grand trees and 8 others” seems terribly radical and irresponsible. Aiken’s trees are some of our most valued and revered assets. It’s part of what makes Aiken admired and distinguishable from other towns covered over in asphalt

While the intentions to improve this park are good, the execution or plan is not.  Who approved this plan that no one has seen until now?

Aiken is a beautiful, charming town filled with trees that are the envy of most places.  The recent destruction of older, healthy trees is a crime.  Trees are so important to the environment and provide shade needed in a park.  Once they’re destroyed, it takes hundreds of years to grow back. Please stop destroying our town.  Citizens deserve some input.

I live in the county, but share the sentiments of all.  I don’t understand why so many trees have to be cut down.  Does the City Council ever look at alternatives, or listen to citizens?

Please pause the Smith Hazel Park project to allow for a public hearing and informed public input on this plan. To refuse to do so is civic malfeasance.

If it is the right thing to do then there should be no fear presenting it to the public. Smith Hazel Park deserves improvement, but let’s make sure it is being improved the way the citizens want it to be improved