Parents calling for urgent action on falling trees in schoolyards

On Saturday, December 6, massive tree trunks from the Prison Park fell near the yard of the school complex that houses the 12th Primary School and the 1st Special Primary School of Corfu, damaging parked cars. We shudder to think what could have happened if it had been a school day! During a site visit, we also noticed several other fallen trunks of very tall trees on the park’s slope.

Also, the yards of the 6th Primary School and the 6th Kindergarten are adjacent to the park, with the trees literally hanging over the yard, since the park’s ground, which slopes down to the school wall, inclines toward the school. In other words, they hang directly over the heads of children and teachers! Two years ago, at the 6th Primary School, one such tree from the park fell into the schoolyard and destroyed the canopy. Similar massive trees are also present within the yards of other schools, for example, at the 7th Primary School, where a very tall tree has begun to lean.

The physical safety of our children and teachers is at risk due to the age of the trees, lack of maintenance, and soil loosening caused by heavy rainfall. We demand that, to prevent casualties from falling trees, an IMMEDIATE inspection be carried out on the trees in the park near schools (6th Primary, 6th Kindergarten, 12th Primary–1st Special School).

Furthermore, we demand an inspection of the trees within the 7th Primary School as well as all schools in our municipality, and that we be informed in writing of the inspection results. Specifically, whether the trees are safe, whether they need pruning or removal, and what actions in general are required to ensure that our children and their teachers can attend school safely, without fear of being crushed by trees. We consider it essential that this inspection be carried out every year before the start of the school year.

Corfu, 08-12-2025

Sincerely,
Union of Parents’ & Guardians’ Associations of the Municipality of Central Corfu
Parents’ and Guardians’ Association of the 6th Kindergarten
Parents’ and Guardians’ Associations of the 6th, 7th & 12th Primary Schools