The news about a pregnant woman who was struck and killed by a falling tree in Kissena Park is another tragic wake-up call for the city Parks Department to inspect every tree in every park, playground and street.
How many more tragedies must occur before the city takes corrective and preventative action to prevent anymore people from being injured or killed by falling trees or branches? Many trees have been weakened last year by Hurricane Sandy and the November nor’easter.
The Parks Department needs to close Kissena Park and other city parks and do those tree inspections now. Hurricane season has entered its peak months of August and September. Need any more be said about this?
The safety of the public who use city parks and playgrounds must never be compromised. No money should be cut from the Parks Department’s Division of Forestry. Mayor Michael Bloomberg needs to make sure that that does not ever happen.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to that woman’s family and to the family of the other person who was injured by that tree and that she will make a speedy recovery.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
