The massive redwood, measuring more than five feet at the base, had reached the end of its life.
Rather than remove it entirely, officials decided to transform it into a public artwork.
"We don't want to just remove and get rid of it, so we wanted to try and preserve some artwork in it," said construction project manager Spenser Ivancich.
Onlookers gathered as the carving took shape, some reacting in real time.
"Seeing something new like this is exciting for people," said spectator Mikayla Carey.
The work is being done by Tommy McCarty Jr. of McCarty Wood Sculpting, who said he has completed projects across the country.
"They're going everywhere you could imagine," McCarty said.
McCarty said the tree had already been cut down to about 10 feet before he arrived.
He began carving the sculpture the day before and described the scale of the work.
"I started yesterday, and it was so big. It took most of the day just knocking off the big giant sections to get it kind of more manageable. I was able to get the head section done, and today I'm hoping to get into it and get a full bear carved, and then tomorrow come back and do all the detail work, sanding, etc. Do the facial eyes and stuff like that," McCarty said.
Spectators expressed surprise at how quickly the sculpture progressed.
"He just started yesterday, and he's already gotten this far. It's awesome," said Bob Railton.
Anthony Dailey called the sculpture a unique addition to the area.
"It's unique, and it's one of a kind," he said.
McCarty said the finishing process will involve a range of tools.
"I have a variety of chainsaws with massive bars down to little bars, and I'll get all that done, and then I'll come back with sanders and special types of sanders and dye grinders and stuff like that," he said.
He said he was grateful for the opportunity.
"I'm grateful that they asked me to do it. I was happy and honored to do it," McCarty said.
Once completed, the bear sculpture will stand as a permanent reminder of the tree's legacy and the community effort to preserve it through art.