Canopy Roads A Tallahasse Tradition

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. Tallahassee and surrounding lands have a unique tradition of having so many trees and tree covered roads, the canopy roads. 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, REALTOR Weichert, REALTORS-Anchor 1607 Village Square Boulevard, Suite B 103 Tallahassee, FL 32309 Cell/Text 850-339-5753 Blog: http://KennethFach.wordpress.com Each office is independently owned and operated.