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SAN JUAN ISLAND LIBRARY |
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What Happened to the Trees?!
The question of the week here at the library has to do with our trees and landscaping and ultimately the parking lot. The starkness of the front strip of land in front of the library is a pretty hard hit. Those Liquidambar trees were so lovely. Okay maybe not that lovely this time of year, but in the spring, summer, and fall they were fabulous. But even compared to the trees in the winter, the bare mud left in their place is frankly less than inspiring. People first ask why the trees had to go and if they are coming back. The trees were removed in order for OPALCO to upgrade facilities and install underground cables and wires. This is in preparation for the completion of the Guard Street Improvement Project this summer by the Town. The project will put in sidewalk all the way from town past the library. In reality we knew this day was coming. Over10 years ago when the trees were planted by Kathleen McHarg we agreed they wouldn’t last. The trees were planted within the Guard Street right-of-way and even then it was decided sidewalks would eventually be put in. So the trees are not coming back but the gain will be worth the loss. We have a number of young children and families who walk to the library and as we all know having a sidewalk along Guard Street will make the walk much safer for everyone. Once people accept this they then immediately start thinking about the parking lot and if this is an opportunity to improve that situation. We will redesign the front section of our parking lot by angling the front spots along the street and next to the front of the building (the handicapped stalls will remain the same). This will make it so we widen the lane between parking stalls and do not loose parking. To access the front stalls you will need to use the west entrance only. This may take a little getting used to but looking at the design I see this will make it easier getting in and out of those front spots. The Guard Street Improvement - Phase 4 plans are available at the library and in the Town Hall. There are people available at the Town and here at the library to answer questions you may have about the completion of this project. Please come by and take a look at either location. Thank you to King Fitch and the Town of Friday Harbor for working to make this needed improvement happen!
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