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The Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission decided to accept the Japanese garden remodel design at Monday’s meeting despite a large resistance from citizens in attendance. The opposition stems from the removal of two healthy 100-year-old Douglas Fir trees. The trees were originally planted by the Ashland Boy Scout Troop in 1924, according to Bryan Holley, former tree commissioner. Holley said the trees should not be objectified because they are “not an object on a water color pastel map, but living, breathing beings.” “If this was only two dogs in a little doggy grove, and I told you only two dogs would be killed and their bones would make little ‘benchies’ in the park, would that make it any different?” Holley asked. Cat Gould, tree commissioner, mentioned the nesting of red-shouldered hawks in one of the trees, a rare occurrence, she said. About 27 citizens spoke at the public forum, most against removing the trees. Commissioner Rick Landt moved to accept the garden design with amendments to keep and protect the trees as much as possible, and to allow for expansion on the opposite side of the garden for the loss on the grove’s side. Commissioner Julian Bell agreed, but the other commissioners said they couldn’t agree with a hasty new plan when months of work had already gone into the current one. Commissioner Jim Lewis said some of the comments from the public to the donor were “reprehensible.” Landt’s proposal failed and the original plan proposed by the Ashland Parks Foundation was approved three to two. The garden will move forward with construction immediately, meaning the trees will be harvested. APRC Director Michael Black said that there could be no construction within 30 feet of the base of the trees due to the tree protection zones, which would create more problems for the rest of the garden. Japanese garden designer Toro Tanaka proposed the removal because he thought the trees would hinder certain portions of the design such as the bamboo forest and fence line. The trees would also cast an excess amount of shade on certain areas which would decrease the lifespan of other plants. The redesigned Ashland Japanese garden will feature a wisteria arbor, an eight-foot-tall waterfall, a Zen garden, koi pond, bamboo forest, and a natural garden among other things. The remake is made possible by $1.3 million donation, with potentially more to come for construction, Black said. The initial donation was made by Jeff Mangin and the Marechal family of Normandy, France, in honor of Mangin’s late wife, Beatrice Marechal. He said they used to walk in the garden often and discuss what sorts of improvements they would make as it began falling into disrepair. In an interview Monday, Black said he was recommending the design as it stands to the commission because they were grateful for the generous gift and ultimately wanted to get a Japanese garden while respecting the designer. He said although the trees are beautiful and healthy, it is apparent that the best design for the sake of the garden, according to the designer, is to take them out. Mangin said at a listening sesion that he plans to find a full-time director for the garden who will teach volunteers and classes the subtle art of caring for Japanese gardens. Mangin added he is willing to donate an additional $60,000 a year for maintenance to keep the park free to the public. The wood from the two trees will be repurposed for benches and fences in the garden. Black said, “Someone emailed in over the weekend and said, ‘You have to break a couple of eggs to make an omelet,’ and unfortunately, I think that’s the case here.” Contact Tidings reporter Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected] or 541-776-4496. Follow her on Twitter @cfowlkes6.