Neighbours protest tree-cutting plan

Residents of a southwest Hamilton neighbourhood are rallying to save 325 trees in scenic Highland Gardens Park.

City officials say the trees must go so the Hillcrest Reservoir can be rebuilt. They also say roots are growing through the concrete roof of the drinking water storage facility.

The reservoir, built in 1932, is on the upper level of the park, on the side of the Niagara Escarpment between Mountain Avenue and Dundurn Street South.

A Facebook page is drawing attention to the project, subject of a walk-in public information centre at the parish hall of St. Joseph Church on Herkimer Street from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

Concern has grown since a number of trees were marked with tape or paint, but the city says those are not necessarily the ones to be removed.