Opponents of a planned golf course at City Park say the tree a protester lived in for 11 days -- and fell out of Tuesday -- has been cut down.

The tree that had been occupied by Jonathan "Lloyd" Boover was removed shortly after dozens of people expressed opposition to the golf course project, members of City Park for Everyone Coalition said. Boover was injured when he fell out of the tree near the Harrison Avenue traffic circle earlier in the day.

Just before the tree was torn down, more than 20 people spoke against the planned $24.5 million golf complex during the park's Board of Commissioners regular meeting. They reiterated concerns that the city is losing a natural space that is free and open to everyone, and the impact the development would have on wildlife that have settled in the area.

Two people spoke in favor of it.

A majority of opponents complained they didn't know a golf course was in the works until a fence went up around the area last month.

City Park CEO Bob Becker said the golf course has been a "significant part" of most if not all public hearings the board has held since 2005 regarding park plans. "Hundreds of people have participated in person and in emails and phone calls," he said. "Although some may disagree with some of the decisions that came out of the process, there really is no denying that the process was open."

Stephen Romano of Luling said he spoke at board meetings years ago when the board still was discussing the layout of the course. He doesn't remember anyone speaking in opposition of the project then. "I'd like to know what everyone has against golf," he asked during the public portion of the meeting. "City Park is for everyone, including people who like to chase a little white ball."

Chip Patterson, who also spoke in favor of the golf course, said his organization, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans, would benefit greatly. The nonprofit youth development group currently works with six golf courses in the area. The one at City Park will have youth-dedicated facilities, he said. "Opponents are saying this is for the 1 percent wealthy elite," he said. "We are the opposite of that. Seventy percent of our participants are minorities."

Opponents also expressed concerns about trees being cut down in the area of the planned course, and questioned whether the course would make money.

Becker said golf "creates an important revenue source" that can be used to maintain other areas of the park. Last year, he said, more than 36,000 rounds of golf were played on City Park's North Course.

About 110 trees that will be removed from the new golf course's fairway, he said, and about half of those are invasive trees or already dead.

The City Park for Everyone Coalition confirmed the tree Boover was in was cut down Tuesday, hours after he fell from it and was taken away in an ambulance. Before he fell, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office had obtained a warrant for Boover's arrest for disturbing the peace and criminal trespassing.

"The Coalition finds it incredibly saddening that another old growth tree has been cut down for this unnecessary golf course," vice president Christopher Lane said. "We are also sickened that City Park leadership was appealing for understanding and open communication tonight at their board meeting while they were ordering this century-old cypress tree to be demolished. We have tried very hard to have open communication with the leadership of the park, but this action symbolizes an arrogant disregard of public opinion."

Justin Kray, treasurer of the City Park For Everyone Coalition, said he wasn't expecting the "local overwhelming support" from opponents of the project. Speaking to the board behind a lectern, he wondered aloud whether they were aware of the overwhelming opposition. "The board does have the power to revisit that decision," he said. "How many people are going to benefit by having 50 percent of the park used for one thing?"

Andrew Labuzienski, one of the creators of a Change.org petition urging developers to cancel plans for the course, said almost 6,000 people have signed his petition.

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