The Editor,
I have the lovely opportunity of living adjacent to the Traboulay PoCo Trail. Although I live in the city, I can enjoy nature at my back door - how lucky can one be?
Next to the trail and less than 20 feet from my fence, there is a small tree. Last year, some lovely person decorated the tree with festive baubles. This put a smile on my face and, I'm guessing, on the faces of everyone who passed by.
This morning, I looked out to see a woman, clippers and bag in hand, helping herself to branches from the same little tree. I called out to her and said she was damaging the tree, at which point she stopped.
Had I said nothing, I wonder how much more damage would have happened. The attitude of entitlement boggles my mind. I hope she enjoys her ill-gotten branches and that she feels guilty every time she looks at them.
How sad that the little tree will never look the same.
The park belongs to everyone and should be cherished, not scarred by thoughtless acts.
E. Lye, Port Coquitlam
