I cried when I saw the "Save our Pines" insert to The Key West Citizen this morning. I have been boycotting my favorite retreat from the heat and commercialism of Key West ever since the Parks Service reneged on its promise to spare healthy pine trees. The pictures in this morning's paper helped me understand that I must now stand up and protest this unnecessary destruction of our cherished natural resource.
As a fifth-generation Key Wester, you know the Keys are geographically unique with many exceptions to the general rules applicable to the mainland. Our "shady space" at the end of the road is one of those exceptions. Our pines have weathered all the storms, and are not presenting a danger to the concrete and asphalt environment that has become Key West.
Tourists will not flock to Key West to visit another example of the Parks Service interpretation of "the real Florida." Stunted native vegetation and concrete shelters are what is used to improve a barren landscape. You don't cut down tall pine trees to make way for this type of "improvement." The users of this park are the local community, and the community has spoken — we want the pines.
Will you please help Gov. Crist, DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole and Park Services Director Mr. Bullock understand that they are pursuing a course of action that is inappropriate for our unique location?
Mary Hunter
Key West
