LARGE TREES: Good for the Environment, Good for Business, Good for People
The City of Vancouver is systematically removing a large number of high canopy shade trees from its neighbourhood business districts. Of immediate concern is the removal of approximately 50 – 60 large Lindens along West Broadway in Kitsilano – the city’s short sighted response to buckling sidewalks. Demolition of tree roots has already started.
Removing these trees would be an irrevocable backward step. Safe sidewalks and large trees CAN coexist and DO in many jurisdictions. Design professionals, engineers, and arborists from across North America and Europe have worked together to cost-effectively integrate street infrastructure and mature trees in their cities. Their research was provided to City of Vancouver staff and Council at several meetings during 2006.
However, the City of Vancouver has not yet been willing to commit to a paving system that accommodates large trees. Planted in 1976, the Lindens define West Broadway by creating a high umbrella-like canopy along the street. These healthy, large-stature trees provide immediate benefits: they absorb carbon, provide shade, clean the air, cool buildings, absorb stormwater and reduce the phenomenon known as the heat island effect. Merchants prefer the high canopy as it allows good visibility to the storefronts and signs. People like the leafy corridor – a green shopping strip unique in this city.
Given global warming and the recent devastation of Stanley Park’s trees, it is time for the City of Vancouver to recognize the value and commit to preserving our Heritage trees. Vancouver’s streets are not just for conveying cars and sewage.
Please write and tell Mayor and Council that West Broadway’s trees must stay. Ask them to implement one of the several paving options that would accommodate mature trees and provide safe sidewalks. Address and emails for Mayor and Councillors:
City of Vancouver, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Y 1V4
sam.sullivan@vancouver.ca Mayor Sam Sullivan
clranton@vancouver.ca Suzanne Anton
clrball@vancouver.ca Elizabeth Ball
clrcadman@vancouver.ca David Cadman
clrcapri@vancouver.ca Kim Capri
clrchow@vancouver.ca George Chow
clrdeal@vancouver.ca Heather Deal
clrladner@vancouver.ca Peter Ladner
clrlee@vancouver.ca B.C. Lee
clrlouie@vancouver.ca Raymond Louie
clrstevenson@vancouver.ca Tim Stevenson
Please also write letters to editor, the Sun, Province, Courier, G+M. Info, please contact:
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association, upperkitsilanoresidentsassociation@hotmail.com
West Kitsilano Residents Assoc. westkits@hotmail.com, Jean Gordon, 604-730-4695
The City of Vancouver is systematically removing a large number of high canopy shade trees from its neighbourhood business districts. Of immediate concern is the removal of approximately 50 – 60 large Lindens along West Broadway in Kitsilano – the city’s short sighted response to buckling sidewalks. Demolition of tree roots has already started.
Removing these trees would be an irrevocable backward step. Safe sidewalks and large trees CAN coexist and DO in many jurisdictions. Design professionals, engineers, and arborists from across North America and Europe have worked together to cost-effectively integrate street infrastructure and mature trees in their cities. Their research was provided to City of Vancouver staff and Council at several meetings during 2006.
However, the City of Vancouver has not yet been willing to commit to a paving system that accommodates large trees. Planted in 1976, the Lindens define West Broadway by creating a high umbrella-like canopy along the street. These healthy, large-stature trees provide immediate benefits: they absorb carbon, provide shade, clean the air, cool buildings, absorb stormwater and reduce the phenomenon known as the heat island effect. Merchants prefer the high canopy as it allows good visibility to the storefronts and signs. People like the leafy corridor – a green shopping strip unique in this city.
Given global warming and the recent devastation of Stanley Park’s trees, it is time for the City of Vancouver to recognize the value and commit to preserving our Heritage trees. Vancouver’s streets are not just for conveying cars and sewage.
Please write and tell Mayor and Council that West Broadway’s trees must stay. Ask them to implement one of the several paving options that would accommodate mature trees and provide safe sidewalks. Address and emails for Mayor and Councillors:
City of Vancouver, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Y 1V4
sam.sullivan@vancouver.ca Mayor Sam Sullivan
clranton@vancouver.ca Suzanne Anton
clrball@vancouver.ca Elizabeth Ball
clrcadman@vancouver.ca David Cadman
clrcapri@vancouver.ca Kim Capri
clrchow@vancouver.ca George Chow
clrdeal@vancouver.ca Heather Deal
clrladner@vancouver.ca Peter Ladner
clrlee@vancouver.ca B.C. Lee
clrlouie@vancouver.ca Raymond Louie
clrstevenson@vancouver.ca Tim Stevenson
Please also write letters to editor, the Sun, Province, Courier, G+M. Info, please contact:
Upper Kitsilano Residents Association, upperkitsilanoresidentsassociation@hotmail.com
West Kitsilano Residents Assoc. westkits@hotmail.com, Jean Gordon, 604-730-4695
posted by:
|
Vancouver
|
