Jan. 4, 2009 - SFN Grant Survey update

Fellow Neighbors,

Jan. 4, 2009 - RE: SFN Grant Survey update

I think it would be absurd to pay $100. to $150. for trees in this neighborhood.  It is already a heavily treed area.  I would like to see street signs changed to reflect the historical street names, in addition to the current numbered streets.  This would go well with the idea to have Stephen Foster Neighborhood ID signs.

Jan. 5, 2009 - RE: SFN Grant Survey update

It is true that we are the fortunate occupants of a beautifully treed neighborhood. In addition to planting some fruit trees I would love to spend some of the money on maintaining what is already standing strong.

20 fruit trees = $2,000

tree maintenance = $7,000

1 Bus shelters = $6,000

Jan. 6, 2009 - RE: SFN Grant Survey update

I am also concerned about maintaining the tree canopy in our neighborhood.  This will not remain a heavily treed area if the canopy is not cared for; trees have varying life spans, and saplings tend to grow quite slowly.  In 2008, we lost about half a dozen mature oak  trees on our street alone.  This has made a difference in the character of the lane.  Does the $100- $150 price quoted includes planting & some maitenance?  Would these trees be large saplings?

Has the creation of a park for our neighborhood been considered?  It would be wonderful to have a place for our children to gather out of doors (us adults too)!  With a dog run maybe?

New neighborhood street signs might be nice, but I don't think they would really enhance the quality of life for residents of our area- is there a problem with the existing signs?

A bus shelter on each side of 6th Street would be helpful for folks in our neighborhood who regularly use the RTS.  One on 13th Street might be helpful too, but these look to be quite expensive.

Overall, I'd like to see the primary emphasis on planting and maintaining a variety of ornamental and fruit trees, with secondary emphasis on the construction of at least one bus shelter, street signs running a distant third place.  I would also like to start brainstorming on the creation of a neighborhood park...

Thanks for your attention!

Sandy K.

Jan. 7, 2009 - RE: SFN Grant Survey update

I've been hesitant to put money amounts to any of the choices w/o more focused work/discussion among us,----

Where would bus shelters be placed and why in those locations?  To me, their cost seems rediculously expensive and not necessarily where I'd want to put $ if it were mine to spend to enhance our neighborhood.

As for signage, I've no interest in spending grant $ to pay for historical signs, as it wouldn't at all affect anyone's real quality of life here.  (Maybe some rich historical buff neighbor might gift us in their will to help us out?)  Ha!   If and when the actual boundaries of the Stephen Foster Neighborhood have been agreed upon, perhaps we could somehow use signage to mark the north-south-east-west margins such that we all know "our people."    Seriously tho, my only interest in knowing where our boundaries are is so I can perhaps let others in the SFN know of anything that might be of interest to them socially, politically, etc., and how we might all connect w/one another more efficiently and positively.

Regarding landscaping/beautification, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have to spend much money at all if we were to utilize the parks/recreation resources that John Wachtel has spoken of (up to 100 free shade trees?!).  If we were to all take advantage of the GRU Tree-mendous Day the first Sat in May (give-away of two trees/shrubs, many varieties of which are ornamental, and some fruiting to any GRU users who participate)....we could landscape wonderfully.  Additional fruiting or other trees/shrubs could easily be purchased from many of our county native plant folks who would happily give us discounts.  (I've already spoken to several at our farmers' markets and elsewhere.)

My heart is w/Sandy Kennedy's in a strong desire to find a piece of property to develop a neighborhood park to relax and enjoy one another's company (preferably w/a pet-friendly component).  Additionally, I'm just as desirous to have a wonderful community garden to dig in and feed healthy food to our families and friends.  These two things are the MOST important to me, followed by maintaining and adding to our present landscape.

Lastly, if I'm remembering John Wachtel's comments re the grant monies, there is no deadline date for spending our gift.  I prefer to give as much time as it takes to come up with some good plans for our expenditures.  Perhaps we might even make designated time outside of our monthly mtg to discuss this matter further?