This letter is a call to our friends and neighbors to come out and support our friends Sam and Paul Hoffman. Those who know them have seen Sam’s garden grow from a plain lot to a masterful piece of art. Her garden at 357th & I Street is her passion and pleasure and truly a gift to everyone who sees it. In the summer she sells her art — wonderful bird baths, painted buoys and paddles, and beautiful plants. She is a good neighbor who is generous with her plants and her knowledge.

Her garden got its start when the Hoffmans worked with a homebuilder to build their retirement home and Sam moved many of her plants from her old home to Surfside. Under her masterful care, her plants have flourished and her garden continues to grow and evolve.

Unfortunately her garden is being threatened by our Surfside HOA Board and Tree Committee. Some very unhappy members have decided that a good portion of her garden must be destroyed. They cite many things — a view of the ocean, the values of homes on the ridge, Fire Wise, etc. These people have asked for and received a permit to remove county-owned trees in the right-of-way. Surfside HOA has in hand a county permit to cut down to the ground 65 trees in the right-of-way, including all trees along both sides of I Street to the gate leading to Leadbetter Farms.

This specific right-of-way, currently maintained by Paul and Sam and Leadbetter Farms LLC, is trimmed and green because of their care and poses no sight or fire concerns. This woeful destruction of our trees irrevocably changes our environment. If the HOA follows through with this heinous action of tree removal, Sam’s garden will lose shade that allows other plants to thrive, water absorption by the trees that helps to reduce flooding, wind protection, and a haven for wildlife.

Please come and enjoy the gardens and support Sam and Paul Hoffman.

BETSEY NELSON

Ocean Park