Trees Add Walkability to Evoloving Urban Areas
The North Loop Neighborhood north of downtown Minneapolis was once a warehouse district. Today, the historic buildings are being converted to apartments and condos. The new residents asked for trees and a coalition of city and state agencies helped make it bigger.
To bring the benefits of shade and beauty to the neighborhood, the city’s Public Works Department removed concrete in front of buildings where the owners requested trees. The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board did the planting with grant support from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource and U.S. Forest Service. Faculty at the University of Minnesota lent their expertise on urban forest issues. Fritz Knoll lives and works in the North Loop Neighborhood. He says, “There’s been a misconception that people in dense urban environments don’t appreciate green, but I think it is appreciated by them even more.” As evidence, he adds, “Building and neighborhood associations all signed up to have trees planted because they recognize the value they add.” Trees, indeed, help transitional neighborhoods with the growth process. They not only add value, they help encourage residents to walk to public transportation and parks, and they help make urban places pleasant places to call home.