This tree at E Avenue NE is among at least a dozen trees being removed for a street widening project near the new Mount Mercy University sports complex in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The city of Cedar Rapids is continuing a string of tree removals, this time in a city park.

At least a dozen trees are being removed this week from Tomahawk Park and along E Avenue NE, where the street is being widened, in conjunction with construction of Mount Mercy University’s new outdoor athletics complex.

This towering sycamore, which was spared during a sidewalk project in 2012, was cut down on Feb. 22, 2017, in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Among the trees was a towering sycamore, at the corner of E Avenue and Longwood Drive NE, where a recently installed sidewalk was previously constructed to go around the tree. Crews removed the sycamore on Wednesday.

The street project will replace the water main and sanitary sewer, reconstruct the street and will remove the new sidewalk, installed in 2012 under the Safe Routes to School program.

City Arborist Todd Fagan said the bulk of the tree removals are ash, linden and silver maple, “which are all over represented species in the city.”

“When possible, we moved infrastructure to take out lower quality trees and save better quality trees,” he said, adding that a few trees on the edge of Tomahawk will be removed, “but I don’t think the overall character of the park will be affected.”

A stump is shown where a tree once stood next to the playground inside Tomahawk Park. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Three large trees that appeared to be at least a century old, however, were removed from the park itself. Prior to the beginning of the project, a line of trees and other vegetation also was removed, on the far side of the park.

Mount Mercy’s $16 million Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex, which will include softball and baseball facilities, as well as a football/soccer stadium, track and parking, is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Access will be at 19th Street NE, off of E Avenue.

See construction updates at mtmercy.edu/construction-updates.

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Cedars were among the trees removed in February 2017 near Tomahawk Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The city of Cedar Rapids removed a dozen trees in and around Tomahawk Park in February 2017. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

This large tree is being removed, as well as this sidewalk, installed in 2012, as part of a street widening project on E Avenue NE. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Another stump marks where a large tree once stood inside Tomahawk Park. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Cedar trees are marked for removal next to Tomahawk Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

These trees, to the left, are among a dozen being removed for a street widening project on E Avenue NE. The sidewalk, newly installed in recent years, also is being removed. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

This tree at Dunreath Drive and E Avenue NE is slated for removal as part of a street widening project. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

What appears to be the remains of an oak tree is shown on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Tomahawk Park. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

A dog is walked past trees that are being removed for a street widening project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)