Well over 300 wonderful people signed a petition this summer to (hopefully) save the trees at the Madison and Ashland development site in River Forest. Unfortunately the development was approved by the village board, and only some pines may be saved. The beautiful and healthy old silver maple most likely will come down, to make room for parking spaces.
Taking down this tree does not represent the village’s motto: “Proud Heritage – Bright Future” because its removal is the antithesis of preserving the village’s historic character. The developer, a resident of River Forest, apparently isn’t aware of this respectful motto and is planning a huge, dull, cookie-cutter development at Madison and Ashland, an area that features lovely older homes that truly represent the peaceful beauty of our village.
How wonderful it would be if saving this beautiful tree could be symbolic of all that is great about the heritage of River Forest!
Jayne Gould
River Forest