[CANUFNET] Boulevard Plantings

[Spahl, Randall]

Guy,
 
The survival of a new tree in front of a residence in Calgary depends
largely on the good will of the resident.  Most residents / homeowners
are neutral or positive, but where we know they are not we usually do
not plant at that site.  Operational - budget planting (replacement of
trees where they have been removed on boulevard strips and in parks)
does not survey areas for consent; each site is dealt with as an
individual.
 
We treat plant sites that lie between the sidewalk and the house
differently.  Sites between the curb and the sidewalk are always
replanted if utility locates are OK and the resident / homeowner is not
adverse.  Site on municipal property between the sidewalk and the house
have for many years not been replanted except by special request (the
'Planting Incentive Program').  As a result a large number of these
'front yard' (or side yard) planting sites have become vacant.  Recently
a project was launched to address these sites - the NeighborWoods
Program.  This program targets older communities, surveys these and
factors in overall community response when deciding which communities to
plant in.  Even so, sites at residences where the people are not
receptive are not planted. 
 
Many newer communities do not have sidewalks or 'boulevard' strips in
front of the houses on the quiet streets, only on the arterials.
Replacement of trees on municipal property in these communities will
require more engagement with the public than we have been accustomed to.
 
Cheers,
 
Randall Spahl
City of Calgary
Parks, Urban Forestry


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________________________________

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net
[mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Guy Martin
Sent: 2008 March 26 12:58 PM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network
Cc: Len Walters
Subject: [CANUFNET] Boulevard Plantings



Hello all,

 

We have currently been planting trees on city owned boulevards.
Basically a strip of turf 1-2 meters wide between the sidewalk and the
road.this is in residential areas.

As you can imagine we have encountered both positive and negative
comments from various homeowners. In the past we have planted our
properties and boulevard strips without much of a problem and have just
gone ahead and done so.

The road we are currently or rather I should say were working on, also
happens to be the Mayor's road (election year), and he is getting heat
from some neighbors. 

We are now sending out a letter informing that we are doing this albeit
it is late and rather obvious that this is going on.

This is not a new development but an established area that has decent
tree cover now, larger estate lots that will most likely be zoned for a
higher density in the next 10 or so years, with tree removal occurring
then, so it would be nice to have our street trees established.

 

I would like to inquire what other municipalities do or have done for
this type of scenario.

 

Do you plant trees where residents request them not to be? 

Do you only plant where residents are receptive and skip those that are
not?

Do you conduct a survey of an area and plant if a certain % of
affirmative is reached? 

What about planting on municipal property with no boulevard strip
directly in front of residents home?

 

Any insight on this problem is welcome!

 

Thanks,

 

Guy Martin

City of Langley

Parks Department

 

 

 

 

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