PRESS RELEASE - February 20, 2024

Coronado Tree Lawsuit Resolved as City Abandons Bowling Green Project 

Coronado, CA – Save the Coronado Trees is pleased to announce our victory in the fight to save Coronado’s public trees. The City of Coronado has agreed to “stop the chop”: All five trees slated for destruction by the City have been saved.

In September 2023 we sued the City of Coronado over its decision to cut down five healthy, mature trees as part of a project to replace the artificial turf at the City lawn bowling court. The trees slated for removal included a 100-year old Torrey Pine - recognized as the rarest native pine tree in North America - as well as four majestic Canary Island Pines.  Our lawsuit challenged the City’s failure to comply with California environmental law and provide adequate notice to the community. The trees are prized by the community for providing beauty, shade, a range of environmental benefits and critical habitat to nesting birds such as herons and egrets and other wildlife. 

Today, as a result of our lawsuit and months of public pressure by concerned citizens to save the trees, the City of Coronado has agreed to withdraw all plans for the Lawn Bowling Green Turf Replacement Project, including the project’s tree removal permits.  Consequently the five trees at issue in our case have been saved from destruction.

The City’s decision to abandon the project follows our 2023 court victory in which the Superior Court of California fully granted our requested preliminary injunction to prohibit the City of Coronado from cutting down the trees.

Today’s victory is cause for celebration throughout the community. The public has made its voice loud and clear: We speak for the trees. 

Save the Trees Coronado will be closely scrutinizing all future City projects for environmental impact. We need the public’s continued support to hold City Council accountable as good stewards of our trees and the environment.

We wish to express gratitude to our legal counsel, Bryan Pease and Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi, for their hard work and invaluable guidance, and to all of the Save the Trees volunteers for their tireless efforts and dedication.

Sincerely,

Save the Trees Coronado

Emily Jones
Mary Beth Milliken
Christine Mott
Shannon Player
Animal Protection and Rescue League