A petition to the Sonoma City Council which supports the preservation of the Broadway oak trees and provision of funds to maintain the sidewalks in which they are planted

The signatures on this petition are intended to demonstrate to Sonoma's City Council the high level of public support that exists to preserve the Red Oak trees which line both sides of Broadway between Napa Street and Patten Street. In addition, the signers of this petition ask the Sonoma City Council to undertake any sidewalk repairs which may be needed from time to time, and to make funds available through grants to the various property owners affected for the cost of any repairs.

The Broadway Oaks have been growing for 23 years, and represent a significant investment on the part of community. Their planning took over five years, and the funds for the planting project were provided in full by contributions. The preservation of the oaks will insure that our entry to the Historic Plaza remains a splendid, welcoming boulevard, one that provides shade to pedestrians, adds positive aesthetics to the widest street in the city, and helps improve the economic conditions for merchants on Broadway.

Twenty-three year old trees are hard to replace and takes a long time; concrete is easy to replace and takes only a matter of days. Both public safety as well as protecting and preserving these beautiful living trees can be fully satisfied, and the signers of this petition respectfully ask the City Council to listen to the community, respect the history and investment these trees represent and develop policies and plans which accomplish both aims.