Among the tree-lovers who have noticed London plane trees falling to chainsaws in Occidental Park, there is a popular sentiment: Someone should do something about this.

Someone has. Years ago. It didn't work. And now there is nothing to be done.

"By the time the chainsaws come out, it's too late," says Stephanie Pure, an aide to Council Member Peter Steinbrueck who sought out local arborists and publicized meetings where the park's future was decided. "I said, 'You need to care about this issue!' A small, core group of people came... but that was like a dozen people."

And Pure points out that their efforts were effective. Led by Pioneer Square resident Bif Brigman, citizens sued the city and temporarily blocked the plan, heralded by Mayor Greg Nickels, to tear up the park's cobblestone, tear down its pergola, and topple 17 of its trees.

But the broader community was slow to rally—until they heard chainsaws.

The issue dates back to voters' passage of the Pro Parks Levy in 2000, which provided the initial $900,000 for the Occidental project. Nickels decided to make the improvements more dramatic than originally proposed, and earmarked city funds to do so. There were nine public meetings.

Occidental's fate was sealed in early February, when King County Superior Court Judge Joan Dubuque set a $120,000 bond, which the citizens group led by Brigman would have to pay to maintain the court's stay on construction at Occidental. The group couldn't raise the money.

Parks spokeswoman Dewey Potter has tried, with mixed results, to convince critics that the current demolition will yield park improvements. When Occidental opens again in July there will be 43 trees left, and ultimately, for every tree taken out, two will be planted elsewhere in Pioneer Square and SoDo. There will be bocce courts and chessboards and a stage for live music in the revamped park.

"I understand that trees are an emotional thing for people," says Potter, "but I just hope people will give us a chance and come back to the park if they like what they see."

tfrancis@thestranger.com