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July 07, 2005 Volume 51 Tecumseh, Ontario Edition No. 7 |
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Invading species takes toll on Lacasse Park trees
by Cheryl Hardcastle |
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 Infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer will see 125 Ash trees removed from Bert Lacasse Park by the end of next week. The job is being undertaken by Professional Tree Services, which began cutting and removing the infested wood on June 27, 2005. The wood is being disposed of by the company but must not leave the quarantined area of Essex County. Dominion Tree Services has a separate contract with the Town to remove about 50 Ash trees along streets throughout the municipality. Public Works Assistant Director of Parks Maintenance, Bruce Norris, says that by July 12 the last of the Ash tree removals on Town property will be complete. With that, the $50,000 reserve fund for Ash tree removal will be gone as well. These trees have a significant history in Tecumseh’s first park. In 1946 they were spared when the wood lot was cleared by volunteers of Tecumseh to create the recreational area on 23 acres of land the Town purchased from Percy Clapp that year. A rough and uneven tomato field occupied the north east corner of Lacasse Blvd and Clapp Street, where the ball diamond is today. Trees and stumps were removed, the ground leveled and grass seeded. By the end of the summer of 1948 the park and ball diamond had taken shape with the help of more than 200 residents who pitched in to make the dream come true. They were spearheaded by the park’s namesake, Bert Lacasse. Before Bert’s passing in 1977, the park was called Tecumseh Memorial Park. 
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