This email summarizes the concerns of the Brookbank Road and Jefferson Avenue neighbors who are most impacted by construction plans in the area of the Brookbank path.

This path has existed as a public right-of-way since the 1953 subdivision of the area.  It ties together the neighbors on Brookbank Road and Jefferson Avenue, provides a walking route to schools, and also serves the wider community who regularly use it to walk or bicycle between the north and south.  There are 28 mature trees identified (25 in the developer's survey and 3 more by Edith Makra); although there are differing foresters' opinions about the goodness of the species, it is undisputed that these trees provide environmental benefits to the neighborhood. 

We would like to express the following six concerns and request that they be given due consideration in determining the actual construction plan and schedule:

1. Maintain safe north-south Brookbank pedestrian and bicycle access during construction
2. Minimize the time that the path is physically blocked to the actual period of street construction
3. Save and protect a majority of the Brookbank trees, including the black walnut omitted from the developer's survey
4. Preserve the existing shrubs that buffer the adjoining property (move the fence away from the property line)
5. Restore the west parkway landscaping as soon as the west curb and gutter are in place
6. Complete the additional sidewalk north of the development to Blanchard Street

Thank you.

See also:  
Letter from Edith Makra, Morton Arboretum, February 13, 2006
Summary of Concerns for Construction Fence Plan, August 28, 2006
Developer's Proposed Construction Fence Exhibit, October 3, 2006
Brookbank Trees Photo