Cassandra Profita

City workers are removing trees to make room for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the railroad tracks next to Pier Park. But neighbors are fighting to save one giant sequoia, shown here with a ribbon tied around its trunk.

Plans for a pedestrian and bicycle trail through North Portland are facing an obstacle: An old giant sequoia stands right in its path, and nearby residents don’t want it removed.

A ten-mile city Greenway Trail would connect North Portland with downtown once it’s completed.

But the plans include a bridge over railroad tracks that would require taking out a giant sequoia tree in Pier Park this week.

A group of neighbors is applying for heritage status to protect the tree, which is 120 feet tall.

Chris Fountain walks three miles in Pier Park every morning.

Fountain said, “I’m very excited about the project, but the fact that they have to cut down this gorgeous old tree that’s perfectly healthy just seems totally ridiculous to me.”

Portland Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Mark Ross says the city has looked for other ways to build the bridge without removing the tree. But other options would require taking out more trees.

Ross says the city will plant seven sequoias and more than a dozen other trees nearby to make up for the loss.

This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.