City of Oakland - OLD PLUS

This issue was reported to the City of Oakland Public Works Agency via phone (510-615-5566), email (pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com), or web (www.oaklandpw.com).

A Queen Palm was demolished earlier today when a car westbound on Lake Park skidded out of control. This is not an emergency since he tree has already been removed.

While I the hope the driver wasn't seriously injured, this incident raises two distinct issues:

#1: This was the third of the Queen Palms that were installed in 2003 as part of the Splash Pad project that were destroyed by out of control vehicles. On the first two occasions, as far as I know, no efforts were made by the city to sue for damages that would be used to plant replacement palms. An established Queen Palm this size is going to run about $600 -$700 and delivery and installation will double that price. Since the Public Works Department is extremely short-staffed and lacking in funds, this latest palm is not going to be replaced unless the driver's insurance company foots the bill. As we all know, the city is being sued constantly--often for far less clear-cut reasons. How about us trying to level the playing field?

#2: There have been numerous accidents on this short stretch of Lake Park -- typically cars speeding as they come off the freeway and/or speeding up to try and make the green light on Grand. The palm in the median across from KFC was destroyed several years ago and not replaced. The one today was across from Chao Thai. Another three palms in that median are heavily scarred from earlier accidents. I'd strongly suggest that Traffic Engineering look into installation of signs that warn of a curve ahead and/or 25mph speed limit signs or whatever else may do the trick.

Approximately, 10 street trees were planted just over a year ago as part of the Lakeshore Complete Streets Improvement Project. These are two of the three that have already fallen and been removed. At least three others have snapped off part way up the trunk including one on Rand that's two-thirds gone. This can't be coincidental. Blame has to go to the contractors who installed the trees without adequate staking and most likely too shallow with too little soil compaction. The trees need to be replaced and better staked. It would be nice to see it done at the contractor's expense - not the city's.

This is one of about 10 street trees that were planted just over a year ago as part of the Lakeshore Complete Streets Improvement Project. Three have already fallen and been removed. At least three others have snapped off part way up the trunk including one on Rand that's two-thirds gone. This can't be coincidental. Blame has to go to the contractors who installed the trees without adequate staking and most likely too shallow with too little soil compaction. The trees need to be replaced. It would be nice to see it done at the contractor's expense - not the city's.

Overgrown and blocking side walk.

3 Sweetgum trees need heavy pruning. there have been 2 muggings on this small stretch of street in the last 6 months because of how dark it is. the streets trees are over grown and covering the lights, not to mention hanging on the overhead lines.

Overgrown trees are creating a visibility hazard for traffic coming down bway terrace. They have overgrown the street lamp as well. Need to be cut down/cut back.

The Canary Palm at the northeast corner of the Splash Pad Park Plaza is spontaneously dropping very heavy, dead fronds with the potential of injuring someone.

The fronds can and should be removed by tugging on the tips. Since adjacent palms are already infected with Fusarium Wilt, use of chainsaws should be prohibited and handsaws should be disinfected with bleach before using.