Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the original architects of Central Park, envisioned the park as the people’s park, and as such, they designed it in a way that would befit their vision. As the people’s park, it stands to reason it should meet the changing demands of the public and not the other way around.
During the 45 years that the Furever tree stood, it brought healing to countless number of people, allowing them to grieve the loss of a loved one and, hopefully, find closure. A tradition that proved so inspiring, it has resulted in other cities establishing their own Furever Trees. In which case, it makes no sense for the original inspiration to be so callously discarded. Instead, it should be preserved for the benefit of future generations.
This petition to restore the Furever Tree, we believe, is in keeping with the original spirit of Central Park. Out of fear that if nothing is done to save it, something valuable will have been lost, not only for pet owners but for all New Yorkers. It is hoped that if enough people sign this petition, it will persuade the Central Park Conservancy not to act unilaterally but to consider what the public actually wants, as Olmstead and Vaux originally intended.
In signing this petition, I agree that the Furever Tree has become an important part of Central Park, and I would like to see this beautiful and moving tradition restored and continued so that others might benefit from it.