Residents of Escondido Village (EV) recently clashed with the University over the clearing of trees on campus.

Rachel Lee J.D. ‘09 learned of the move after noticing marked trees being cut down near her EV residence.

“They started cutting down trees along Olmsted [Road],” Lee said, “and that alarmed a lot of the residents because there were a lot of trees marked with white markings.”

Reed Anderson, a first-year graduate student in studio art, was concerned that the loss of trees would negatively affect his two-year-old son’s play space.

“A lot of people look at EV and think, oh, student housing,” Anderson said. “For those of us who have families, that’s our home. These trees are providing shade for our kids.”

In response to the demolition markings on courtyard and playground trees, confused residents contacted University housing staff, but could not find anyone who knew the details of the project.

“Nobody in the University seemed to know why this was happening, only that a developer had made a donation and had arranged to have the trees cut down,” Lee said.

Associate Director of Student Housing Imogen Hinds later sent an email to residents, explaining the nature of the project.

“A donor has come forward to reinvigorate and substantially improve the aged, nearly 50-year-old grounds softscape and hardscape infrastructure (likely to include grass, trees, shrubs, pathways, fences, yard equipment and plantings) in EV,” the email stated. “While this is not a directly Housing-managed project, we are working closely with the donor, grounds and this landscape project team.”

In another email to residents in buildings 64-86, Hinds said that not all marked trees will be cut.

“The crews are focused on removing the Monterey pines that border primarily along Olmsted Road right now,” Hinds said. “They are a coastal variety and are not faring well in our climate. They will be replaced with an inland variety that is much better suited for the Village and will thrive for the next generations.”

Anderson emailed both the provost and the Department of Project Management (DPM) for more information about the renovation plans. He received emails that said the plans were not finalized for the work that had already begun.

“Since this project is being sponsored and led by a donor, and is on a fairly fast-paced schedule . . . some of the usual planning processes have not and will not take place,” Hinds said in an email to The Daily. “The donor is working directly with a liaison in the University Department of Project Management (DPM).”

To appease the EV residents, Executive Director for Building and Grounds Maintenance Chris Christofferson led the project arborist, Housing staff, Anderson and other residents around the courtyards to discuss each tree during the week of spring break, particularly trees that seemed healthy and unobtrusive.

“The community came together on this beautifully,” Anderson said. “I’ve carried the signs, waved the flags, but I’ve never really found myself in this place where I’ve thrown myself into the fire, so to speak. It’s really amazing to have the community come together.”

Anderson, who acted as an emissary between the administration and the residents, said an unknown number of trees slated for demolition were saved following the efforts of Christofferson and the EV residents.

He also said he is no longer concerned about his son’s outdoor play.

“I think that the best landscaping is landscaping that has an element of wildness to it,” Anderson said. “That is part of what’s missing from the development of children’s lives — to have something that is practical that doubles as magical.”

To prevent future confusion, a communication system called “CirclePoint” has been put in place for EV residents.

“CirclePoint is given information as soon as the next steps of the project are decided upon, so more timely notice can be given,” Hinds said. “The centralized hotlines allow for residents to know who to call with any questions, comments or recommendations.”

EV residents have already began discussion with administrators via CirclePoint, expressing concern over the proposed installation of six-foot fences and the use of pesticides on residents’ front lawns.