Brooks Filipino Community Association applies to bring its 30-foot Christmas tree back to Veterans Park

The Brooks Filipino Community Association has applied to reinstall its 30-foot metal Christmas tree in Veterans Park for the Santa Claus Parade, with the city taking comments on the needed height variance until 10 November.

The Brooks Filipino Community Association has applied to put its metal-structure Christmas tree back up in Veterans Park for the holiday season, the Brooks Bulletin reported on 3 November. The tree was installed in the park last year.

According to the Bulletin, the association anticipates installing the tree on 14 November so it can be lit during the Santa Claus Parade, and removing it on 10 January.

Why the city is asking for comments

The tree is 30 feet tall, while the maximum height allowed in the area is 14.8 feet, so the plan requires a height variance of nearly 15 feet. The Bulletin said the tree will be installed without permanent modifications to the park and will be stabilised with sandbags and tension cords anchored to existing trees.

Bailee Boulet, the city’s development control officer, described the purpose of the installation in a letter to area businesses:

The installation is intended to enhance the festive atmosphere in the downtown area and contribute to (the) community celebration during the holiday season

Comments on the proposal are to be received by 10 November.

Key dates

The tree is part of a wider proposal. At a City of Brooks council committee meeting in February, Emelcris Aurelio, president of the Brooks Filipino Community Non-Profit Organization, proposed that the group manage and operate The Medium building. In exchange, it offered to deliver two community initiatives at no cost to the city: the annual construction of a giant Christmas tree at Veterans Park and the installation of cultural solar lamps around Lake Stafford. According to the notes, the committee discussed needing a more detailed plan, and Mayor Gerestein said a meeting could be held once one is submitted.

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