Council Corner: April Thanos’ town hall meeting discusses Gulfport trees.City of Gulfport
April Thanos’ Town Hall Meeting
Nothing is nicer on a hot summer day than walking down shady, tree-lined streets. Especially after a hot summer like we just had, the importance of this is even greater. Trees make every street and each home look more inviting and cooler. They are good for residents, business and property values. Trees add to the character of Gulfport — one of the things attendees at Gulfport on the Edge found most important.
We are losing trees — people are building bigger homes and homes on previously empty lots (often that had trees), our laurel oaks are aging out and need to come down, plus people build pools and home additions that take out trees.
We currently have a tree canopy of 23% and Gulfport city council voted to increase it to 30%. This year we put $30,000 in the City budget for trees and that will be a start towards the 30%.
We can do more! St Pete has an Urban Forestry plan and I think we should talk about doing something similar. Dean Hay, who works for St. Pete will talk to us about this program and what we as residents can do to add trees and protect the ones we have.
Thanks,
April Thanos (Ward I)
Gulfport Scout Hall in Chase Park, 5315 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. Nov. 15. 6 p.m. 727-826-7138.
Read April Thanos’ past council corner.
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