But most of the local councilors voted to transform it into a forest park, with paved paths and various recreational constructions. Elected officials thus ignored the dozens of people who protested in front of the city hall, claiming that the area will be controlled by real estate speculators.

People gathered in front of the city hall, where the fate of Trivale Forest was to be decided, argued that the area should become a protected natural area. Otherwise, transformed into an paved area, it could be destroyed by real estate developments.

Mihai Coteț, local councilor: "A forest park means pouring concrete, creating curbs, building pathways, installing street poles, and so on".

Local Resident: "Trivale Park is transformed, Trivale Park is under the scrutiny of real estate speculators, I no longer have anywhere to walk in Trivale. There is a danger that Trivale Forest will become a neighborhood park, like Expopark. Four square meters, unfortunately".

Those who want Trivale Forest to remain intact, with all its wild beauty, initiated a procedure to transform the area into a protected natural area 12 years ago. The efforts, nearly completed, become futile with the decision to declare it a forest park. Although the mayor assures citizens that they have nothing to worry about, people have examples that prove otherwise.

Cristian Gentea, Mayor of Pitești: "According to the law, we can make those improvements that the people of Pitești will benefit from: pedestrian pathways, bicycle lanes made from organic materials only, benches, public lighting and those gazebos which are temporary structures, without foundations, 15 square meters. As far as I know, this is what the people of Pitești want".

Local Resident: "I protest because I know how Lunca Argeșului was done, which was a small forest; more than half of the trees were cut down to make some pathways, and now in Lunca, you go to stay in the sun, so there is no shade. At least leave what little is left there, if they are not capable of reforesting what they have cut down".

Councilors who voted against the transformation of the forest into a concrete park say they will challenge the decision in court and will request a local referendum.

Trivale Forest once covered approximately 2,471 acres. Most of it has been transformed over time into residential neighborhoods.

Now there are about 827 acres in state ownership, and the decision to transform it into a forest park concerns an area of about 395 acres.