Why is Summit Avenue in danger?
The City of Saint Paul’s Summit Avenue Regional Trail plan redesigns Summit Avenue to create off-road bike trails. Their plan includes:
- Moves all curb lines which will destroy the mature trees and the shade they provide
- Remove historic granite curbs and historic light posts
- Remove parking and creating barriers for people with disabilities
- Requires rebuilding driveways and carriage walks which put construction on all sides of the boulevard trees, further damaging the roots.
Who is SOS?
Save Our Street (SOS) is a citizens’ group of walkers, bikers, residents, and neighbors that formed to protect Saint Paul’s treasured Summit Avenue. The impacts of the City’s plan will dramatically change the avenue’s tree canopy, historic character and safety for all users. The historic trees are the defining element of the historic district. We believe government is intended to work for the people, and that we must hold City Hall accountable.
Join us in the fight!
Summit Avenue’s strength is its simple, symmetrical design that has accommodated all ever since it was built in the 1870s: pedestrians, bicyclists, horses and carriages, motorists, and today’s new technology. People far beyond our capital city have enjoyed the shade and beauty of the 100-year-old trees complementing the historic architecture and vistas.
Now everything is in jeopardy because a flawed process resulted in an egregiously flawed design. The City’s intent to replace the popular on-street bike lanes with two narrow bike trails at sidewalk level – one on each side of the street – destroys trees and creates safety, access, and environmental problems.
The Latest…
Effects and Costs of Tree Loss to the City of Saint Paul & its Citizens
The beneficial effects of trees on the environment, property values, and the physical and psychological health of people are well known and scientifically documented.
How can we assist you in finding what you are looking for?
“As a Minnesota Master Naturalist I am opposed to the destruction of mature shade trees and appalled at the callous disregard for the impact of removing yet more of the urban tree canopy. Obviously three years of drought which has severely impacted our heat island Twin Cities has not sufficiently opened the eyes of our city leaders who should have climate change at the top of their list when considering any alterations to our natural environment in the city.”
– Karen Jeffords-Brown
