The Historic Eastside – Longmont’s oldest neighborhood

Loving Our Leafy Streets- 2017 NIP grant application

The City of Longmont offers neighborhood improvement grants to neighborhoods every year.

NIP grants are for up to $9,000 for largest neighborhoods, such as the Eastside.

Neighborhood Improvement (NIP) Grant application for 2017

Historic Eastside is BIG- about 750 households. Historic Eastside Neighborhood Association (HENA) is not an HOA.

We love our leafy streets, but our beloved canopy is at risk due to Emerald Ash Borer disease.

In May 2017, the city will be cutting down 1 in 15 of the city-owned ash trees along our streets.

The Eastside includes one of Longmont’s National Historic Districts

Our beautiful homes are framed by beautiful trees…

A lot of trees are in old town Longmont, about 275 ash trees in Eastside

Ash trees- contending with Emerald Ash Borergreen = treated orange = may treat gray = about 1 in 3 won’t be treated in the “foreseeable future”

2017 NIP Proposal: Replacing ash trees

a) To replace 10 out of the 20 city-owned ash ROW (right of way) trees (on sidewalks) that will be removed in May 2017.

asking neighbors to sponsor new city-bought saplings near their sidewalk by watering them regularly over summer 2017.

2017 NIP Proposal: Education & Neighborhood Party

b) To celebrate Earth Day by learning about local trees with local elementary school

then enjoy evening party in Collyer Park– all neighbors welcome!

Proposal: Educating our Kids & Celebration

Selected trees in Collyer Park will be tagged with giant labels to show benefits of that particular tree to the environment.

Each tag is based on species, and trunk diameter (info from the National Tree Benefit Calculator website).

Collaborating with Columbine Elementary to make learning about our trees fun- STEM focus

Lifetime benefits of a tree…

Collyer Park – the heart of our neighborhood

What is the Neighborhood Need?

Without this NIP grant money:We will be looking at 20 stumps for many

years to come, with no prospect of replacement trees, according to Ken Wicklund, City Forester.

Will miss the priceless opportunity to work with our local school, building community and educational opportunities.

Neighborhood Participation

We asked neighbors about how they wished to spend potential 2017 NIP grant money.

Planning: Held meeting Sept 20, 2016 - about 10 people attended. Posted on NextDoor- lot of responses. The overwhelming response was to “save the ash trees.”

Engagement during project: involves sponsors, and engagement in education and celebration.

Will get media attention.Willl engage main street businesses in fundraising.

Sustainable SolutionIn one year a tree can: A) Provide air-quality improvements worth over $125. B) Stop 4,755 gallons of rainwater from running into storm

drains. C) Process 400-1000 pounds of CO2. D) provide heating and cooling for local houses.

Ash trees will be replaced with other species to diversify. Figures from Longmont’s Arbor Day (figures depend on size and species).

Neighborhood Contribution

HENA provides a 44% match- nearly all time and energy:

Sponsors water “their” trees Planning and carrying out educational celebrations around

Earth Day with Columbine Elementary. Potluck party that day. Only $400 in cash needed (to pay for labels, ribbons).

Public Benefits Tree Replacements: Environmental benefits, Economic benefits for Longmont’s heritage tourism & Promotes neighborhood pride.

Educational day: Make learning engaging and fun! Build community bridge to Latino families in neighborhood.

Celebration in Collyer Park: Fun events increase neighbors knowing each other = increased wellbeing.

Our Earth Day celebrations will end with a party potluck- come join us!

ADDENDUM

Keep reading if you need to know:More about the 2017 budget:How to sign up as a tree sponsorAn example of a tree labelWhat we got in 2016 through NIP

How to sign up as a tree sponsor

The exact list of 20 trees slated to be cut down is with Ken Wicklund, the City Forester.

The list is to be finalized by May 2017. If we get the grant, HENA & the city will be reaching

out those neighbors soon. We will ask you if you are willing to water the new

sapling on a regular basis during the summer 2017 and to otherwise follow the City care guidelines.

Thank you in advance!

Neighborhood Contribution

Asking total $7,500 City contribution valued at $4,200: to provide 10 saplings, plant,

stake, and lay mulch that they would not otherwise do. Neighbors contribution valued at $3,300. Mostly time donations.

Value of watering trees $2,000Value of planning educational day $400Value of creating signs $100Value of Earth Day potluck celebrations $400Cost of giant tree signs and labels $400 (donations needed here)

Eastside has a lot of mature – glorious canopy is part of our charm

How even one tree helps our water & air quality…

Our NIP for 2016 was about historic buildings

In 2016 we applied for (and got) about $4,500 to wards surveying more of our historic buildings.

This is to be used as a neighborhood match for a larger grant application to the State Historic Fund- we are still working to get this money.

The end goal here is to help home owners access tax credits for their home renovations, helping to preserve our unique historic character.