GRANTS, NM -- Mr. Jorge Mendez, Supervisor for the City of Grants Public Works Department, commented on the outcome of the fallen tree at Fire and Ice Park.
Mendez reported that the fallen branch was old and too heavy to be held up by the tree’s trunk. The branch also had rotted on top, where it met with the tree. The branch above the diseased branch was also cut down as a safety measure.
“I am just glad it happened when it did, and not when there were people and events at the park,” Mendez stated. “That would have been a mess!”
The branch had fallen in the evening of September 11th, approximately between the hours of 9 and 10 p.m., and was reported by Ian Smith. Smith had passed by the park at about 9 p.m. while on an errand, and hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but when he returned at about 10 p.m., the branch had fallen and was surrounded by city emergency service vehicles and workers.
The Fire Department cut down the branch, and then the City of Grants Street Department, COG Parks Department, and COG Maintenance Department were responsible for clearing away leftover debris and cleaning the area.
Mendez reported that the city will have a tree doctor to inspect other trees in the park to avoid another incident.