Dozens of trees removed at park

Budget-caused lack of irrigation at a north Spokane County park may have hastened the need to remove nearly 60 Ponderosa pine trees this week.

But county Parks Director Doug Chase said shutting off the spigot didn’t cause the mountain pine beetle infestation that destroyed the trees at Northwood Park on Regina Avenue, next to Brentwood Elementary School.

“My understanding from the experts is that the infestation had been in place for quite some time,” Chase said.

Pine trees typically don’t require irrigation, but Chase said a forester and an arborist advised that stress from lack of water may have allowed the beetle infestation to progress faster.

On the other hand, he said, “it may have allowed us to recognize the infestation a little bit sooner.” Removal of the dead and dying trees may slow or prevent spread of the infestation, Chase said.

In a letter distributed to neighbors Tuesday, Assistant Parks Director John Bottelli said officials intend to plant a variety of conifers and deciduous trees when money is again available for irrigation.

“I’m hopeful for 2012, but only time will tell,” Chase said.

Bottelli said some of the newly created open spaces will be preserved for recreational uses.

The five-acre Northwood Park, sometimes called Brentwood Park because of its proximity to the school, was acquired in 1965.

Neighbors organized as the Brentwood Park Association to keep the park open in the mid-1980s when previous budget problems threatened it.