Petition: Halt the addition of asphalt on the corner of Third Street and Wilkinson Street creating a half acre parking lot and to make changes to beautify the projected parking area with the addition of natural landscapes/trees/planters.

Eight mobile homes and many mature trees were demolished at the half acre lot at the corner of Wilkinson and Third Street. The demolition of these mobile homes and trees left an open, empty lot. The City of St. Charles is planning to asphalt this entire empty lot to create more parking spaces as part of the Frenchtown great streets project. The intention of this petition is to promote re-planting additional trees and adding additional landscaping to this property to beautify the street which consists primarily of residential houses but still allow for parking on the property.

The benefits of having trees and landscaping in a primarily residential area include:

1. Planting urban landscapes near residential and commercial areas can increase property value, by up to 20 percent while attracting tourism and business.

2. Trees and landscaping play an important role in increasing urban biodiversity, providing plants and animals with a favorable habitat, food and protection.

3. Research shows that living in close proximity of urban green spaces and having access to them, can improve physical and mental health, for example by decreasing high blood pressure and stress. This, in turn, contributes to the well-being of urban communities

In conclusion not adding trees and landscaping to the corner of Third Street and Wilkinson creates a barren unappealing parking lot and would be a missed opportunity to attract businesses and families to the residential area. Please sign if you agree and that you consider your self a neighbor to the area.