The End of a Sad Story

February 1, 2022

Back when it happened, I consciously did not post about the terrible fallen-tree accident in Washington Park that took a woman's life and seriously injured two other people. It was tragic and probably avoidable offering a severe lesson learned one hopes. Now that the Daily Journal is reporting a final settlement, it merits a post for the historical record–such as it is. Here is just a snippet of the article for the record

City Manager Lisa Goldman said the city’s insurance will cover $30 million of the initial claim with another $2.5 million coming from the city’s internal insurance fund. Burlingame’s budget for the current fiscal year is $117.7 million.

The city hired an independent arborist last year to provide tree inspection and maintenance services in addition to the city’s own program, Goldman said. Burlingame’s Park and Recreation Department oversees the maintenance of tens of thousands of trees citywide.

I took a photo back when it happened and that drives home the magnitude of the branch. The end of a sad story all around.

Wash Park tree2

$35M settlement1

Posted in City Finances, Trees

2 responses to “The End of a Sad Story”

Jennifer Pfaff

February 2, 2022

Tragic, all around.
What needs to be added here, however, is that Burlingame’s Parks Department manages and maintains somewhere in the neighborhood of 18,000 public trees– all kinds, shapes and sizes. They do a superlative job at it– so that we, the public can enjoy this leafy environment in which we (dare I say?) are “privileged” to live.
There is a reason why arborists’ reports typically end with the disclaimer: The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.
hollyroller@gmail.com

February 2, 2022

You are 100% Correct Jennifer Pfaff.
Sometimes “Stuff Happens.” Horrible.
35 million dollars may seem like a lot of money. A Billion Dollars is not enough. I hope these people manage to adjust.

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