Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Residents of the Villamar Uno neighborhood have temporarily stopped the removal of trees from a public park, after the city council planned to cut some down as part of a renovation project to install new playground equipment.
Neighbors organized through WhatsApp groups to stay informed and document any attempts to cut or remove vegetation. When public services personnel arrived at the park, residents intervened and managed to suspend the tree removal while the project plans are reviewed.
“Thanks to us coming together as neighbors in the groups, we were able to protect these trees, which are more functional for us than some playground equipment,” said María de Dolores, a local resident.
She noted that the trees provide shade, help reduce high temperatures, and improve the quality of the public space, urging that they be preserved in the rehabilitation project. “Keep organizing as a community; it is necessary to make the government listen to our demands and needs,” she added.
Residents said they will remain vigilant as the renovation project develops and will seek ongoing dialogue with authorities to ensure the park is renewed without harming the neighborhood’s natural assets.
