Yeah, I shook my head to after reading the above postcard (that I did not receive though I live in the neighborhood, a neighbor a few blocks away showed it to me).
This program all got started after a few homeowners who live close to Waterford were upset because (God forbid) Waterford had to tear down a couple of trees to build their expansion (on land they own, that will help residents with therapy on premise).
Waterford was probably tired of the trail of tears running down Phillips avenue so they donated money to the neighborhood to plant 100 trees.
That part is a fantastic idea.
Where it takes a turn to the lobotomy clinic is wanting to plant those trees in the boulevard. After all the headache we have had in the historic neighborhoods with tree rubbish after the ice storm you would have thought we learned our lesson about boulevard trees (FEMA gave us $10 million for cleanup). Not to mention the many other concerns with them.
When Project TRIM rolls around they make you trim those trees if they are impeding street and sidewalk traffic, they also wreak havoc on water, sewer and gas lines. They also impede power and cable lines, and traffic site issues. Enough already!
We need to prohibit the planting of boulevard trees in Sioux Falls, in ALL neighborhoods. I encourage the group to plant the trees in parks and green spaces or set back in front or back yards of people’s homes, but lets grow something besides trees, lets grow a brain, and stop planting trees in the boulevard and plant vegetable gardens and flowers in that space instead.
To comply with Project TRIM, plant power poles. Maybe not. The city will issue citations if you don’t water them on days that end in Y.
Read city ordinances. Anything you plant belongs to the them whether it’s on your property or theirs. If a hundred year old tree dies, they can force you to replace it and issue double jeopardy citations until you do. The way it reads, you actually only own inside your home. However, even then, they have the right to peak in your windows and watch you undress.
Boulevard trees may have impeded utility work back in the pick and shovel days, but there are these modern contraptions now they call directional boring machines – and tree roots are no impediment to them. Welcome to the 21st century – whenever you’re ready. BTW – it started 16 years ago.
Hey Scott: Have you moved recently? Unfortunately, your home is just outside of the boundary of All Saints Neighborhood. Technically, the neighborhood goes to 8th Avenue on the east.
As for the urban forestry project – this was a program created by the neighborhood by the neighborhood. Research has found that boulevard trees actually enhance safety and security in neighborhoods. This is not a mandate or a project forced upon citizens by the City.
Here’s a great article about a study done in Portland:
http://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/study-finds-less-shady-behavior-around-big-trees/
“If you put a 35-foot tree along the street in front of every house, you’d see 45 fewer crimes per 1,000 homes. If you put it in a yard, however, you’d see five more crimes per 1,000 homes – likely because of obstructed views.”
Actual study here: http://eab.sagepub.com/content/early/2010/09/16/0013916510383238.abstract
As for the “trail of tears” – you, of all people, should be excited that citizens rose up against a corporation, made their voices heard, and effected a positive change for their community. Our neighborhood put Touchmark in the hotseat and they responded somewhat favorably considering the major impact their new addition will have aesthetically.
This project gives neighbors the opportunity to purchase well established tress for a nominal cost. Many neighbors who don’t need a tree for their property are actually “paying it forward” by donating to the program so that people that can’t afford a tree will have the opportunity.
Sometimes I really don’t understand where all your negativity comes from.
As for growing vegetables on your boulevard. I can’t wait to see more people doing this, however, I know that I can barely grow grass on ours due to all the salt and chemicals the city uses on the streets. I know people are making it work and that is great.
If you’re interested in learning more about this project or getting involved in the association, we’d love to have you volunteer for one of our many community service projects we do. There’s the tree project, planting community gardens at DakotAbilities Longfellow Center, and cleaning up trash along the Elis & Eastern railroad corridor. All these things will take place in September and October.