Shade and Streetscape Master Plan

The Shade and Streetscape Master Plan will be developed to create a healthier, more livable community through the strategic investment in maintenance and growth of the urban forest and engineered shade. Trees and shade structures are critical assets of the Town infrastructure and require long-term strategy and implementation. The master plan will provide a road map to increase the shade canopy cover of the Town’s public lands. An increased shade canopy cover will reduce Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and increase urban cooling. Elements of the plan will include a regularly updated tree inventory and GIS mapping, updated best practices for urban landscaping (Proper pruning techniques as well as proper planting and watering techniques will lead to long term preservation and health of the trees we invest in. This will make the trees more resistant to storms and disease), and will determine locations of high priority. Guidelines will include a new urban tree palette, an updated planting and maintenance ordinance, the initiation of “Right Tree, Right Place” policy, highlights of nonprofit and private sector partnerships, and suggestions for implementing cost effective green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) strategies to reduce demand on water resources. The Town has recently completed a tree inventory for all Town maintained areas, so this information is already available. The Town’s focus on the quality and quantity of shade and trees on public lands will implement citizen desires for “cool temperature hubs” and pedestrian-friendly corridors.