Big meanies.A Calgary woman says the city made her remove a child’s swing hanging from one of the branches of a big tree, just steps from her house in the West Hillhurst neighbourhood.Nuvyn Peters put up the small swing on the tree for her three kids about seven years ago. She told the Western Standard Friday it was a source of joy not only for her kids, but also for other kids in the neighbourhood.“I feel sad that my swing has to go,” said her 9-year-old son, Caius Peters.“(I want the city to) not remove childhood swings.”The mother didn’t know the tree belongs to the city, noting that she has maintained it for years, along with the surrounding land..Housing starts continue to grow with Alberta, the Prairies leading Canada: CMHC report.On Wednesday, she came home from work to see a warning notice in her mailbox, citing a violation for having the swing attached to the tree, asking her to remove it immediately, she said.Nuvyn hadn’t removed it that day. She says work obligations and caring for her three children had taken priority, noting that she’s a single mother.“And less than 24 hours later, a bylaw officer or a peace officer showed up at my door and noted that I had not yet removed the swing. He said that I could be issued a fine,” she said.That was when the swing was removed. Nuvyn taped the warning notice on the swing, and placed the removed black and green swing under the tree. She says it’s heartbreaking.“I’m disappointed. You know, this is the sign of summer to have a swing here where neighbourhood kids come and they hang out. My kids plan on it every day. It brings joy and happiness to them,” she said..Alberta minister Loewen shares water rescue experience.In an email to the Western Standard Friday, the city said the swing needs to be removed for two reasons – an enforcement and Parks perspective.“From an enforcement perspective, our team supports Calgary Parks and Urban Forestry, who are the subject matter experts in assessing potential harm to city trees. Enforcement action is initiated only after a formal complaint is received, and any notices issued are based on the bylaw’s requirements and expert evaluation of the situation,” reads the email.From the Parks’ perspective, the swing should be removed for the following reasons:“Trees are one of our most vital natural resources as they provide shade, cool our environment and sequester carbon. The Tree Protection Bylaw was created to protect public trees and it prohibits, among other actions, attaching electrical cords or other objects to public trees," reads the email..Should Alberta have its own police force? What are the costs that come with it?
