Liepāja Holds Public Consultation on Tree Execution — Residents Must Vote Whether Horse Chestnut Gets to Live

Liepāja City Council has decided that democracy is more important than forestry knowledge, so now every citizen can determine a tree's fate. At the intersection of Riņķu and Kviešu streets grows an ordinary horse chestnut with a 1.5-meter circumference, which according to experts interferes with building a proper sidewalk. "Either the tree or the sidewalk," philosophically ponder the construction board employees.

SIA "Evolution Road" has developed a project that envisions a six-meter-wide roadway and 1.5–1.8-meter-wide sidewalks. As our familiar Karosta Prison guide Anna says: "I'm already used to people paying money to experience horrors, but now even trees must be defended with voting. At least in our prison, nobody asks visitors whether the walls may be preserved."

The public consultation runs until March 28, and residents can fill out a questionnaire online or go to 5 Peldu Street. While in Riga trees are simply notified of their death sentence, in Liepāja we are civilized — first we ask, then we cut. As our experienced gardener Pēteris would say: "Better a tree than another pothole. But if there's a sidewalk, at least there'll be somewhere to slip in winter."

The Landscaping Supervision Commission will make the final decision after the voting results. So, Liepāja residents, now is the time to prove whether you're for greenery or for concrete. As always, the choice is complicated — either we'll walk on grass, or on a new sidewalk without tree shade in summer.