How Phillip Snoxell saved a stump

David Brewster, Star Tribune

Phillip Snoxell, 10, became alarmed when the city of St. Paul made plans to grind a beloved stump into sawdust. With the help of his family and friends, he successfully petitioned the city to save what is a meeting place for neighborhood kids, and a centerpiece for games.

To a St. Paul boy, the stump wasn't the unsightly remnants of a tree. It was an endangered landmark.

By CHRIS HAVENS, Star Tribune

Last update: August 8, 2008 - 1:07 AM

For four years, the stump in Langford Park has been a regular meeting place for students at St. Anthony Park Elementary School.

They play games near it. They run around it. They jump off it.

A couple of weeks ago, the city of St. Paul planned to grind it into sawdust.

That didn't sit well with 10-year-old Phillip Snoxell.

"I told my dad, and my dad said there wasn't much we could do," said Phillip, who is about to enter the fourth grade. "I came up with the idea of petitions."

Phillip dictated. His dad, Jim, typed.

More than 30 kids and parents signed the petition, and Phillip sent it and a letter to Mayor Chris Coleman, Council Member Russ Stark and Parks and Recreation Director Bob Bierscheid.

"When we play in Langford Park, kids say, 'meet us by the stump' and we play games around it," Phillip wrote in his July 27 letter. "Please save our stump."

This letter caught Coleman's eye, and he called Bierscheid to see what could be done. If it's safe, the mayor said, it should stay.

The stump at one time was a full-grown basswood tree, about 50 or 60 years old. Four years ago it became infested with bees that stung several people. The city tried to get rid of the bees, but the only successful way was to cut the tree down.

No more bees. No more tree. But a glorious stump.

A perfect location

The stump isn't far from the picnic tables, which aren't far from the bandstand.

Many of the edges are rounded, probably from the weather, playful squirrels or the kids' sneakers. A ring of packed dirt separates it from the grass.

Usually the city removes stumps for safety or aesthetic reasons. Now and again folks will request that a stump stay put, say in a boulevard garden, but this might be the first plea to save a stump for playtime, said Brad Meyer, parks and rec spokesman.

Indeed, the stump is in fine shape and poses no health risks, by parks and rec's estimation.

Good news with a coda

On July 31, Bierscheid sent Phillip an e-mail telling him that the stump would stay.

"We are thrilled that you enjoy using the park and from now on, that will be officially referred to as 'Phillip's Stump.'"

It will stay as long as it's not a hazard to people who use the park, Meyer said. "This is an opportunity grass wouldn't give the kids."

Phillip, understandably, was thrilled to learn the news.

"I was so happy when it happened, I couldn't believe it," he said. "And it happened so quickly."

Every stump should be so lucky.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542

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