A canopy of leaves shades pedestrians and motorists on Central Avenue

All interested residents are encouraged to attend the meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Alameda City Hall, City Council Chambers 2263 Santa Clara Avenue Alameda, CA 94501

Alameda is renowned for its large population of mature trees, including magnificent individual trees and groupings of trees such as liquid ambers, sycamores, and ash trees, which give the city a unique visual character. The leafy canopies of trees that line the city’s streets provide many benefits to the community: shade, screening, natural beauty, environmental benefits, as well as food and shelter for birds and animals. Healthy, well-maintained trees provide an improved quality of life and economic benefits to the community through enhanced property values.

To maintain this valuable natural resource, the City developed a Master Tree Plan and tree inventory in 1989. Since that time, however, horticulture practices have changed, trees have matured, additional trees have been planted, new neighborhoods have been developed, and older neighborhoods have redeveloped. The City is now undertaking an update of the Master Tree Plan to ensure current standards of care for the health and safety of trees and best management practices for the maintenance of trees and related infrastructure are incorporated into the plan.

The Public Works Department invites all interested residents to attend a kick-off meeting on February 13, 2008, to the review the existing Master Tree Plan, discuss the objectives of the proposed update, and provide input on street tree concerns, particularly trees in their neighborhood. The City has hired Tanaka Design Group to assist with the update of the plan. The public outreach process for the Master Tree Plan Update will also include four additional public meetings held during April and May, 2008, to present the consultant’s draft findings and recommendations specific to the geographic areas of the city (west end, central, east end, and Bay Farm Island).

For more information, contact Associate Civil Engineer CW Chung at 510-749-5840.