Join The Discussion

What people are saying in the neighborhood. Share your comments below.

"Summit is a wonderful historic area, I drive slowly through each time I have a chance, taking pictures of the historic homes that strike me. I have wonderful memories to take home with me. I was born in St. Paul, 75 years ago."

Carlson Kathleen

"We support the multi-uses of Summit Ave. We feel fortunate to be here and love sharing the space with our community. However, what we have seen thus far of the ideas are incompatible with the street's current use by the residents. We are concerned that the city is trying to shoehorn in a project that doesn't make sense. How is a separate bike trail, requiring its own curbing or other physical barriers that is interrupted by every driveway and walkway going to be viable?"

Lee Sexton

"I am opposed to the Metropolitan Council's and the City of St. Paul's proposed Summit Avenue Regional Trail. This proposed trail would effect too radical a change to the most beloved, historic, premier avenue in all of St. Paul---our Summit Avenue. I have lived on Summit Ave. since 1992. I am also an avid bicyclist. I have covered tens of thousands of miles on bicycle trips and in recreational riding around St. Paul. I love to ride my bike down Summit Ave. Therefore I want to preserve the character of Summit Ave. as it exists today, so all may enjoy its beauty and charm for many years to come. Please join me in opposing this radical change to our treasured Summit Ave."

Jack Fugina

"How to Turn a Silk Purse into a Sow’s Ear I am appalled at the proposed destruction of the historic and beautiful Summit Ave landscape that will result from the construction activities required by this project that will not only eliminate priceless old trees but will endanger the ones that are left. Current research on trees shows how they depend on a vast underground network of root systems that enable trees to support each other by sharing nutrients and participating in a complex, invisible-to-us ecosystem. This is especially critical in urban environments where expansive pavement limits the areas of soil needed by trees for obtaining water and oxygen. This project will disrupt this ecosystem by 1) removing trees that actively participate and support all the trees in the ecosystem; 2) compaction of soil and subsequent root damage due to construction vehicles and activities; and 3) adding more pavement to the environment. By disturbing this ecosystem, this project will unleash a domino effect of slow die-off of nearby trees. Also, these big trees “drink” gallons of water each day. By removing them and adding pavement, you are going to create drainage and flooding problems that currently do not exist. Losing these old and irreplaceable trees will also have a negative aesthetic impact to Summit Avenue. All you have to do is walk along Grand Avenue where the city has recently cut down all the ash trees and you will see what Summit will look like without its trees. Summit Avenue is ALREADY a greenspace. This project will create a LESSER greenspace. In so doing you lower the quality of life for the residents and cheapen the experience for visitors. There is no denying the negative environmental impact of any version of this project. There will be five miles of devastation to boulevard tree cover that humans currently appreciate and enjoy and severe impact to the ecosystem that supports all trees. Can anyone make an argument that this is a fair trade off for an important end result? The department says connecting recreational bike trails is the important end result. But, we ALREADY have a bike lane on Summit. I’m an avid cyclist and am 100% satisfied with the status quo. I have biked all over this state and this country and bike lanes are absolutely valid connectors between dedicated bike paths. Amongst my biking friends and neighbors I have never heard anyone complain or ask for a different situation on Summit. So who is the actual audience intended to benefit from this project? How large/small is this audience that has yet to emerge? Do their wishes override those of the people who live in the neighborhood, especially in regards to the parking that will be lost? What about our elderly and handicapped residents who will lose access to parking? What about all the churches on Summit who need parking on Sundays? Is grandma going to ride her fat tire to church down icy Summit on Sundays in January? Or will all these people be expected to give up what they now have so a handful of out-of-towners can bike through in July? Summit Avenue is beautiful, historic, and irreplaceable – no amount of money bags and gold-plated yachts can buy those trees and that vista once they are gone. They will be lost, however, when those in charge are unable to see or appreciate what we already have."

Alice Gebura

"Why would you fix something that isn’t broken? Summit Avenue already serves more walkers than we can count— from early morning to dusk — in pairs … by themselves … or in strollers with happy parents or grandparents … It also serves so many track teams from the local schools, from St. Thomas to Macalester to Concordia and even St. Kate’s— with all the local high schools and middle schools in between— YEAR ROUND. But there’s only 800 to 1000 bicyclists, and then only in the five warm weather months — and they already have the bike lanes they need. THE ONLY THING THAT NEEDS FIXING ON SUMMIT AVENUE IS THE DISGRACEFUL INFAMOUS PAVEMENT FULL OF POTHOLES."

Mary Beth Coonan

"I am strongly against any changes in Summit Ave reconstruction. I don't agree that separated lanes are a good choice. Summit Ave has worked well for decades and if the road was redone and made easier to use for both bicycles and cars, it would solve most of the issues. All the separated lanes in the city are constructed with different goals (two ways on the side of the road, difficult to keep clean, especially in winter, and mixed messages to cyclists about following traffic flow)"

Cynthia McArthur

"The historic character of Summit Avenue must be cherished and preserved at all costs. Bicyclists already have their own lane of special access to use the avenue, and to create a huge new lane, sacrificing countless trees, and compromising walkers' access, would be a terrible mistake."

Gregory Mason

"I’m a Minneapolis resident and avid recreational biker (about 10 mph). I prefer being on the road as there are fewer curbs and it’s easier to make turns. The current Summit Ave bike lanes, in both directions, are wide and safe (I identify as a cis gender, straight female - a demographic that is less Likely to bike). Keeping as is best serves bikers and maintains the character of Summit Ave."

Sarah Woessner

"Many residents worked in the 1970's to get the whole of Summit Avenue listed on the National Historic Register to preserve its beauty and integrity for future generations. I was one of those residents, 50 years ago. That work should be respected by the City of Saint Paul planners and Historic Preservation Committee. Leave Summit Avenue alone!"

Holly Joseph

"Please consider 4 major concerns: 1. Parking Living near the cathedral, the German house, the historic hill house, a boutique hotel and the university club, weddings, tours and events already create parking and traffic congestion. Will the stairway near the hill house be repaired? Yet more parking will be needed and used. Will the campers be eliminated, thus allowing use of the public stairway across from the cathedral? 2. Road condition I second the disastrous condition of the pavement. Please address this hazard before inviting another. 3. Safety I enjoy frequent, leisure bike rides along the avenue. I feel very safe following the rules of the road. What rules will be applied to a regional trail? Will we see e-bikes going 28 mph, with runners, strollers, scooters, leisure and road bikes? Or will this be something like rent control? Just get the thing pushed through and consider the logistics much later. 4. Maintenance The well intentioned bike lanes downtown were installed with some care toward aesthetics. Now they are a mess of weeds, cracks and other unsightly detritus. There seems to be a pattern of minimal care to plantings, cobblestone streets, railings, fences and stairways in this city. What will this trail look like in 2 years, 5 years, 10?"

Sara Conley

"Please stop this trail—it’s going to ruin Summit Ave and all its natural beauty. How can you destroy the longest running avenue of Victorian Homes in the United States for this? Not to mention, the trees will be destroyed. How dare the city even contemplate this project. I would even consider moving if this plan goes through."

Lauren Smith

"Safety for bikers, parking for cars and ambling along a beautiful tree-lined street will happen by improving and repaving the existing street. The pot holes are treacherous for everyone. Marshall Ave. is an official bike trail and the street is horrible. That biking street needs even more attention than Summit Ave. from a repaving perspective."

Beth Horsager

"What group and/or individuals are pushing for this idea and what data are they using to conclude that it is needed (bicycles per day, traffic accidents, street regulations, capacity etc)? My hunch is that no research has been conducted to determine if an overhaul of a street that already has bike lanes on either side is a necessity."

Matthew Patera

"How did the City Acquire the Summit Ave R-of-W what did deed say and the CF-accepting the parcels way back when????"

bill smith

"Stop this huge potential mistake!"

Dan Reed

"I am an avid bicyclist, riding roads and trails for over 65 years. I support the development and expansion of the bicycle and hiking trails where feasible and economically and environmentally supportable. I have ridden the Summit Avenue neighborhood and streets hundreds of times, without any problems with traffic and parked vehicles, as well as with other bicyclists and runners. I am also a very careful and respectful cyclist. I feel much more emphasis should be placed on maintaining and improving the trails we already have. I agree with the Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association that expanding the existing trail beyond what is already there is not a wise approach, especially if consideration is being given to routing the trail through the grassy "islands" that comprise this historic parkway. Currently there are many areas along the existing Summit roadway/trail lanes that are almost unrideable due to potholes and damaged or worn pavement. The same goes for the East River Road, which for past 10 years has been in serious disrepair in many location. As a serious "road rider", (that is, riding at 10 mph +), I am forced to ride on the combination bike/pedestrian trail which is also fraught with dangerous root bumps and linear subsidence cracks in the pavement, even when riding the maximum allowed speed of 10 mph. More emphasis needs to be made in improving the pavement quality of existing trails, safety signage for car drivers, and educating bicyclists on safety, skills and etiquette."

Philip Gilmer

"Changes to Summit Avenue should not include anything that will change the face of this beautiful street. I would support improving the pavement of the street, adding some benches in places wide enough to support them, and buying up some non-historical homes for sale and converting those lots to park spaces. Any plan that involves removing trees or limiting parking is utter nonsense. Why do anything to this wonderful place?"

Judy Rothenberg

"As has become routine, the city is not listening to the people this will most directly impact. So sick and tired of fighting these fights. Yet, here we are."

Patrick Rhone

"I love Summit Avenue. I love Saint Paul. We need to stand up and protect our city, and this beloved street. The current choices that are being made to develop Grand Avenue with spot zoning approval of high rise apartments is disastrous. Homeowners backyards are being towered over with 6 stories of luxury apartments, blocking the sun of lawns and gardens and gawking over once private space. Zoning is being overlooked. Removing the Boulevard on the south side means saying good-bye to established glorious trees along our famed avenue. The is a place of solace and reflection, of slow moving walkers reading books and strolling, to world class marathoners training miles. This is a special place. Do not take our boulevard, do not take trees. It will also strip our homes of shade and privacy in the front. Who will keep paying Summit Avenue taxes when pinched between all of this? Aren't we thinking about the environment? Impervious surfaces are a real problem. Mature Trees are a real tool."

Mya Honeywell

"Our top priority should be preservation of the "grand boulevard" at the heart of St. Paul, including the historic homes, the wide sidewalks, the lilac-adorned center islands, and the overarching tree canopy. This is a historic district and Summit Ave. should be preserved and not tampered with, including its mature trees. If anything, I would advocate for an enhancement of the greenery along the public way. The loss of many ash trees needs to be mitigated."

Roger Brooks

"I've been riding and running on Summit Ave since moving to the Twin Cities in 2000. I primarily use Summit Ave for bicycling -- a combination of recreational riding and commuting. This road is used by hundreds of bike commuters every day. What a joy it is to have such a beautiful ride from the intersection of Summit and East River Road all the way to the capitol. I often ride from the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus to various locations in St Paul, and the ride on Summit is always a highlight."

Lee Penn

"I am a renter living on Summit Avenue. I have been in my home for over a decade, and I love having an affordable living option in this great neighborhood. I am very concerned about the proposal to eliminate the street parking. This trail would have a hugely negative impact on renters, and there's a lot more of us than you know."

J Gilbertson

"As a Grand Avenue business owner, we have come to rely on Summit Avenue for parking. Our business has been in the same location for over 40 years, and we cannot afford to lose this option for parking."

Anonymous

“Summit Avenue’s tree-lined street and green parkway play an integral role in the City’s goals for livability and sustainability. We are in support of trail and parkland improvements that preserve and expand green space, beauty and accessibility for the diverse neighbors and relatives who call Saint Paul home.”

Michael-jon Pease

Executive Director, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy

"Summit Avenue’s unique character and immense beauty has long been a highlight of Experience The Twin Cities’ tours.

Tour guiding is about storytelling; the story of Saint Paul’s rise to prominence can be read up and down this street. Knowledgeable enthusiasts and general sightseers alike admire the numerous architectural styles sitting side by side, living in harmony with nature, providing a glimpse of Summit Avenue’s heyday when the wealthy elite built these lavish monuments to themselves.

Guests from the world over comment on how lucky we are to have such an unspoiled stretch of remarkable buildings, each with their own character, in our city. It’s one thing to see a spectacular house here or there but having 4.5 miles of them makes the avenue a destination for visitors, and it’s one we will continue showcasing."

Michelle Patzlaff

Tour Coordinator & Tour Guide

"My husband and I enjoy coming into Saint Paul for dinner at the University Club. A favorite after- dinner treat is strolling on beautiful Summit Avenue. We enjoy the luscious foliage of the tree- lined Avenue famed for its well-preserved Victorian architecture. We pause before driving home to enjoy nearby Summit Overlook Park—A lush green public park which sits at the top of the Ramsey Hill overlooking the city’s West End neighborhood. The focal point of the park is a striking 19th-century bronze eagle sculpture. The statue was cast in1890 and saved by Public Art St Paul. Our trips to Saint Paul are richly enhanced by the many visual treats of Summit Avenue."

Carolyn Fredell

"I am a Saint Paul resident that is privileged to live near the glorious treasure that is Summit Avenue. During the dark lockdown days of Covid, walking with my dogs along tree-lined Summit Avenue was a life-saver. Our walks along this Avenue —either heading East and stopping to rest in the shade of the three wonderful parks at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Western Avenue —or walking West along the beautiful median with its gorgeous Lilacs was our form of "Forest Bathing" –the Japanese concept of the calming/ soothing effect of being in nature. It is rare that such a miles long swath of natural beauty is readily accessible to city dwellers. Let us protect our national treasure – Summit Avenue."

Marilyn L. Bach. Ph.D.