New plans for downtown trees in Minneapolis
From MinnPost.com, this story is a really interesting look at the usefulness of community trees; in Minneapolis, officials are following the lead of other large towns and cities across America to add new trees downtown.
In the top photo (a shot of busy Michigan Avenue in Chicago), we see how trees on some of the busiest downtown streets beautify the city, save energy, and help add vitality to the business district.
It’s exciting to see Minneapolis following that lead:
Leaves are dead and gone for the winter, but trees are not forgotten. Two major projects in Minneapolis aim to bring the city’s mostly drab downtown sidewalks up to date by adding rows of trees. The result should make segments of downtown – namely the Marquette/Second corridor and the North Loop – not only prettier for pedestrians but livelier for business and friendlier for the environment.
Compared with other economic development tools, planting trees “is a relatively inexpensive strategy,” Mayor R.T. Rybak told a gathering of the North Loop Neighborhood Association recently. “But, boy, does it pay off.”
Shady, tree-lined streets have become the norm in successful downtown districts across the country for a number of reasons: They moderate extreme temperatures, reduce storm water runoff, increase property values, create a superior walking atmosphere, calm auto traffic and lend a sense of pride and identity for workers, residents and visitors.
The Arbor Day Foundation works through the Tree City USA program with towns and cities across our nation — no matter their size — to ensure beautiful, efficient urban areas and city design. This news is a great development for Minneapolis, which, incidentally, has been a Tree City USA for 29 years!