In 2012, the Esplanade Association commissioned Mitch Ryerson, of Ryerson Design, to turn the Stoneman Playground’s magnificent oak tree into a whimsical sculpture since the tree had died. During the 2020 renovation of Stoneman Playground, it was discovered that the foundation of the beloved structure was no longer structurally sound.
Mitch Ryerson and his wife worked to safely remove the top pieces of the sculpture for future use at the end of February. The old oak stump is to be removed in March through DCR’s annual project to prune trees and remove dead, dying, and dangerous trees from the Esplanade.
While we are sad to see the sculpture go, the Esplanade Association, DCR, and Mitch Ryerson will work through 2021 to determine the design and installation plans for a new sculpture to be placed nearby that preserves the spirit, and likely many of the pieces, of the old sculpture.
