Out of concern for public safety, SIA “Rīgas meži” warns once again: during the felling of hazardous poplars, it is strictly forbidden and dangerous to be within the fenced-off area in the “Mežaparks” culture and recreation park! The trees are so rotten and damaged that, upon felling, parts of them can fly a considerable distance. Therefore, a fence has been set up for several hundred metres around the forest maintenance area.

This week, the felling of hazardous poplars (approx. 5 ha) began in the “Mežaparks” area managed by “Rīgas meži” near Lēdurgas iela. Although the area is fenced off and informational and warning signs have been placed, there are still people who ignore them or do not follow the instructions of the responsible staff, thereby endangering their own lives.

Given that work will also take place over the weekend (during the day) and the number of “Mežaparks” visitors increases at weekends, “Rīgas meži” once again urges everyone to observe the established movement restrictions and not to approach the logging area. In addition, “Rīgas meži” staff remain in the logging area during work to ensure that movement restrictions are not violated.

It is planned that the hazardous poplars in this part of “Mežaparks” will be felled over approximately three weeks. Afterwards, hazardous poplars will be felled in the forest between Sarkandaugava station and the cemeteries (approx. 1 ha). In the following week, “Rīgas meži” plans to start moving the felled poplars to a storage site (between the Green Theatre and Viestura prospekts) for temporary storage.

“Rīgas meži” is carrying out the felling of the hazardous poplars in response to public requests, as well as in compliance with the sanitary opinion of the State Forest Service and the approval of the National Heritage Board.

In the autumn of this year, the soil will be prepared to replace the felled poplars, and in the spring of 2024, it is planned to plant pine trees grown at the “Rīgas meži” “Norupe” nursery together with local residents.