Editor,
How ironic that in the same issue (April 12) of the Current there was the article concerning the Monon expansion and the removal of vegetation and another article concerning the mission of the Nature Center to try to save and provide a habitat for the endangered Monarch butterflies.
In the last few years, it has been sad to me to see that so many mature trees and vegetation have been removed from the city so that businesses and buildings could be built, especially when there are many empty businesses and for lease signs all over Carmel.
On paper, it sounds good that Carmel has planted so many trees, but there is no way planting 100 small trees with a ring of mulch around them can ever replace one that is 100 years old that is surrounded by shrubs and plants. The low vegetation is where birds and butterflies get their food and make their nesting areas and there are not many of those areas left.
If people have to go a little slower on the Monon Trail, that is not a bad thing, and it is so nice to have a shaded area in the summer. Not only is this project destructive, it will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. I hate to see the natural look of Carmel being replaced by expensive buildings and “For Lease” signs. I usually sit back and never voice my opinion over what is happening in Carmel, but I just had to respond to this issue. I sincerely hope that others will speak out if they feel the same way.
Ginny Day
Carmel