Sidewalks being replaced with recycled tires
City homeowners have long battled the large Ficus trees that line the streets of Santa Monica, replacing concrete sidewalks every couple of years as the tree’s roots destroy the walkways.
But now there’s a new idea bounced around town — rubber sidewalks. They work because they expand to growing tree roots but don’t threaten the health of the tree. The city is installing the rubber sidewalks free of charge where tree roots have raised up the concrete.
Santa Monica is one of four westside communities that is installing rubber sidewalks — but only in front of the problem trees.
“It’s a little more expensive to initially install the rubber sidewalks,” said Robin Jarit, acting street superintendent, “but in the long run you don’t have to replace concrete every other year.”
The new sidewalks, which are made from recycled tires, already have been installed in five or six locations, but many more are planned as damaged sidewalks are replaced.
As Lamell Guido renovated his Pine Street residence, he had the city install the new sidewalks in front of a Ficus tree that had destroyed both the sidewalk and the driveway in front of his home.
“This tree eats sidewalks up, and unfortunately for Santa Monica it’s the same kind of tree planted throughout the city,” said Guido, a musician. “We should install these sidewalks everywhere.”
Guido said installing the rubber material was an easy decision because the city will now maintain the sidewalks and replace them when they wear out, adding he especially likes that they are made of recycled material.
The sidewalks come in two colors — red and gray — and can be made to match the color of concrete. However, there are already long waits for gray, causing many residents to choose red for in front of their homes.
“Why isn’t the whole world paved with this stuff — it’s great,” Guido said. “I’m just trying to make my little corner of it right.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 23, 2001. Read the original PDF.