Canopy Road Future In Tallahassee, Florida

Roads
I am attending the Canopy Roads Visioning Workshop at Dorothy B Oven
Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The issue is how to manage, protect and
plan for the future of the canopy roads and canopy corridors in
Tallahassee, Leon County. I am attending because I honor the trees and
want to see these majestic oaks and other tree types protected for
years into the future.
Tallahassee and surrounding lands have a unique tradition of having so
many trees and tree covered roads, the canopy roads. There is an
active biodiversity here. As the result of abundant tree ecosystems
there is an abundant wildlife population as well. This is one big
attraction to me living in this community. As the urban area expands,
there has to be a plan to manage the tree population. I am gathering
the comments made at the workshot for those who care about trees and
how a community can plan for the future of these inhabitants among us.
There is not a day that goes by almost that I do not drive or walk
down these beautiful tree canopy roads.
When you look at early photos of Tallahassee you can’t help but notice
these natural wonders. There is such a restful, cozy feeling traveling
through these canopy road coridors. They are our treasure. We
Tallahasseans love our trees.
Here are the comments made.
*It is about our trees which connects us to our past. It separates us
from other cities. Canopy roads serve as primary transportation
corridos in our community.
*There is a management plan already, such as when to prune the trees.
*What are the big issues:
*TRANSPORTATION:
-Prohibit commercial license vehicles.
Alternate roads to protect trees.
-More focus in alternative transportation.
-Enforcing speed limit.
-Have non canopy road routes as well.
-Development should adapt to the canopy roads and not threaten the roads.
-Triple canopy road system
-Safe bicycle passage.
-Road bumps to restrict traffic.
-Build homes along roads with nice views.
-Off road paths parallel to roads.
-Bike and pedestian trails.
-Plant more trees.
-Offer more protection for parallel off road paths.
-Schedule automobiles on alternate days.
-Use GIS in planning.
*TREASURES (the people):
-Network of canopy and historic roads regionally and nationally recognized.
-Offer ad valorem tax break for land home owners who protect their canopy trees.
-Recognized as national asset
-Featured in travel magazines.
-Canopy road festivals.
-Public roads.
-Improving vistas.
-Secure funding.
*TREES:
-Tree education program
Keeping as many trees as possible as a community heratage.
-Agressive enforcement of tree maintenance.
-Include other trees beside Oaks. More biodiversity.
-Risk assessment of trees and catalogue them. Prevent fatal accidents.
-Expand and nurture wildlife habitats.
-Enforce tree removal and protection.
-Expand tree growth.
-Have a grading system for canopy trees.
-Extensive mnagement.
-Management should be corridor specific, road specific.
-Limit denisity.
Tallahassee has a strict no cutting down tree without planting more
trees policy. This is a subject that will be of importance to our
community for a long time I believe.
Kenneth Fach
Tallahassee, FL 32309