Parking, trees, development stir debate in Edmond

By John A. Williams

Published: August 9, 2008

I've received a lot of reader e-mails over the last few days, so here's a sample of what Edmond readers are thinking.

Donna Friedberg of Edmond sent an e-mail in response to Thursday's column on parking on residential streets. "I live in a neighborhood with lots of trees, but cars park on the street while the driveways are available for them to use. Cars parked on the other side of the street behind my driveway make it difficult to back out of the driveway. Many times there are so many cars parked in front of my house that my family or guests can't park and must park a house or two away. Even the mailman has had to walk the mail to the box or on one occasion to the door of the house.”

Ben Humphries of Edmond also sent his e-mail response to the column. "I am not sure Oklahoma and Edmond will ever have trees. The mentality does not exist. Developers build large additions with no trees. Residents seldom or ever plant trees, and if they do, it is sorry Bradford Pears or Canadian Choke Cherries that grow to about 20 feet tall at a maximum and last no more than 10 years before they split,” he said.

"Trees that last are oak and ash. There are four good reasons to plant trees: 1. Property value 2. Shaded homes save electricity 3. Trees act as natural coolers due to release of water vapor 4. They break the wind. Oklahoma doesn't have to remain a barren ‘Grapes of Wrath' state,” Humphries said.

Karrie Dennis of Edmond sent her comments in response to my column on what Edmond needs. "I think Edmond is a wonderful place to raise a family. We love it here. I wish there was a bit more nightlife near downtown Edmond, more live music and dancing. It seems that traffic concerns are being addressed, if the constant road construction is any indication of improvements. Schools are top notch. I hope all the parents moving from other areas will get involved with their child's education. That is one reason why Edmond schools are so great, parents and teachers place great emphasis on education.”

Laura Newsom of Edmond added her comments on NewsOK.com concerning the column about what Edmond needs. "I love Edmond, too, and more night life closer to home would be great. I also think we need more jobs and better and more public transportation.”

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