I grew up in the Creekside neighborhood, and have lived here for nearly 50 years, surrounded by the majestic beauty of our old-growth trees. These trees have been a part of our community for hundreds of years, standing tall and offering shade, beauty, and a sense of history that connects us to past generations. Our neighborhood is part of an old oak savannah, and includes huge burr oak trees that line our streets and sidewalks. These trees, based on their size, range from 200-350 years old. 

These trees are more than just an important part of the landscape; they are living witnesses to our neighborhood's history. They contribute to the environmental health of our community, offering clean air, habitat for wildlife, and cooling shade during the summer months.

The City of St. Louis Park is considering a sidewalk and bike path project that threatens to remove these same historic trees. While infrastructure development is important, it should not come at the cost of our natural heritage. We need to find viable alternatives that protect our ancient trees while still promoting community development. Over 50 trees are proposed to be cut down, including eight burr oaks with diameters over 30 inches, including a magnificent 54-inch-wide oak that has stood here for perhaps 250-350 years.  These plans affect the Brookside, Creekside and Brooklawns neighborhoods. Further, there are another 21 mature oaks within 22 feet of the proposed construction, putting them in severe risk of incurring fatal damage to their root systems. One of these oaks, located near Hold the Wheat, has a nearly 7 foot diameter and is estimated to be between 400-600 years old.

Let's urge the City Council to explore alternative routes or construction techniques that preserve the integrity and beauty of our neighborhood. Losing these trees would mean losing our entire canopy. This could include re-routing paths or employing construction methods that minimize root damage. By taking action now, we can ensure that future generations will also have the privilege of enjoying these magnificent trees. These trees are older than any of us and we need to save them. They simply cannot be replaced. 

Please join me in my efforts to protect our community's natural heritage. Sign this petition to preserve our historic trees and demand sustainable development solutions for St. Louis Park.

The plans are available at: https://www.stlouisparkmn.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Engineering/Construction-Projects/Pavement-Management-2028

Share this petition! https://tinyurl.com/saveslpstrees