The Australian Pines at Fort Zach

Pines Party!

Come play with us, have a good time and help Save Our Pines!

All money raised will go to Save Our Pines. Any unused funds will be donated to the restoration of Ft. Taylor! If you are unable to attend and would still like to make a donation, please visit www.saveourpines.com. Thank you!

Cornell's Letter to the Editor

Stop commercialization of Fort Zachary Taylor

Please save Fort Zach for the citizens of Key West. Everything and everywhere else is so crazed with tourists and we need a respite.

I had the most wonderful relaxing day [recently] after [a] rainstorm. It was just me, four other people and several pelicans flying over my head. I was delighted to see that the kayaks were not on the racks (a blight) and it was more the park as it used to be.

I just can't understand how this movement to commercialize Fort Zachary [Taylor] can be happening — a liquor license? Aren't Florida state parks alcohol free? That's just what we need — more alcohol in Key West. We go there for peace and to get away from the drinking people. It is a family atmosphere.

I was in attendance last month when the Monroe County Commission passed a resolution to not allow any more cutting of the Australian pines and even possibly to refurbish the ones that have been cut down. All we ask is shade from the sun, but don't remove the pines until there is shade provided from other types of trees. I examined the pines and I see there is absolutely no growth from the base up to six feet on any pine, there are no seedlings to be found. Who are the park people kidding?

Concrete pavilions — are they out of their mind — more concrete on an island that is turning into concrete? I recently spent a day at Bahia Honda under one of those concrete pavilions and did not appreciate sharing it with a family of seven noisy people. Who is getting paid off for allowing this to happen or has everyone controlling the parks lost their minds?

I moved here because Key West had Fort Zach, and definitely may move on if that is commercialized, that is, more than it already has been. I am an intelligent, productive, tax-paying, voting citizen of Key West, who was told recently that I have cataracts growing because of the sun, in spite of my constant sunglasses and hat. Someone please help save our shade at the only beautiful, swimable beach in Key West and leave it peaceful.

Sandi Cornell
Key West

Published Key West Citizen 9/11/06

Stone's Letter to the Editor

Stop the state from ruining the beach

I'm in full agreement with Bridget McDonald regarding the proposed and continuing degradation of the Fort Taylor beach areas.

As a longtime resident and taxpayer, I don't want my favorite park denuded, defaced and destroyed with concrete pads, kiosks and a large, privately owned restaurant. I want it to remain relatively natural with its scattered picnic tables, grills and shady nooks, where couples or the solitary soul, families and friends enjoy the breezes, laze around in the shade of the whispering pines, rest and read, swim and snorkel, or quietly enjoy the spectacular sunsets and catch the occasional wedding.

If I want a park with a concrete pad to play, plop or park on, I'll go to the mainland. If I want a large, privately owned restaurant instead of a wooden picnic table, I can already find it on Duval, the Bight or New Town.

We've given the rest of our city parks over to the bums. Leave us this one quiet spot to call our own, one shady park in which to rest or play or ponder in our own provincial and peculiar way. Our seaside park is pretty fine the way it is.

Are we willing to band together as a community and tell the state we won't put up with their mainlander plan? Must we march on Tallahassee with pitchforks and torches? What does it take to get our point across? Whatever it is, count me in, but let's do it now, before the concrete truck arrives.

Chris Stone
Key West

Published Key West Citizen 9/8/06

McDonald's Letter to the Editor

An open letter to state officials:

While we are recovering from two active hurricane seasons in the Florida Keys, our state parks officials— like others who exploit disaster — are pulling a fast one.

Fort Zachary Taylor is the last bit of public green space in Key West. Yet we are slowly but surely losing our green as the parks department goes about destroying what is left of our trees. This, after the loss of so many trees over the last two hurricane seasons. But this is about more than the trees.

Our state park is being used as a commercial venture, where shade trees will be replaced by concrete pavilions to be rented by the hour. Instead of the sounds of the ocean and whispering pines, our park will soon host the noise of a large, privately owned restaurant. The park now has a liquor license, and we are told it will soon be scattered with kiosks selling goods to tourists.

Where there once was natural beauty, we will soon have commerce. Where we once had a quiet retreat, we will build yet another Key West tourist trap.

A few years ago, the community fought and won the battle (so they thought) to retain the old Australian pines that have provided shade along the beach. Old photos show the trees have grown in this area for more than 100 years. Sailors speak of the pines as a navigation tool when coming into our port. But with no acknowledgment to past agreements, the only wooded area on our island is being bulldozed to make room for concrete shelters and other less shade-providing trees.

Despite the public promises of park officials that only new seedlings and unstable pines would be removed from the park, our shady retreat is being destroyed.

Public meetings designed for community "input" have added insult to injury as park officials told those who attended that their pleas to save the park were falling on deaf ears.

If we want restaurants and booze, trinkets and concrete, we can go to Duval Street or Mallory Square. Our state parks were designated to ensure public access to a natural environment.

The exotic invasive argument holds no water when the state has allowed and even supports other communities' efforts to retain — and even replant — Australian pines lost in hurricanes. The historic Gulf Stream community is one of those.

If we allow our state park to become a commercial venture, what can we expect next? Offshore drilling? Vacation rentals on the beach?

... I ask that you please help save what is left of our park: Stop the plan to commercialize Fort Zachary Taylor.

Bridget McDonald, Key West

Published Key West Citizen 9/3/06