The picture above is one I took this morning while out for a walk. While this blog is often where you see horrific examples of asphalt gone wild in the suburbs, anyone who lives in a community like mine can attest to the beautiful stretches of road that exist - - especially at this time of year.
If a person could string together a mile or so of the sort of roadway you see above -- particularly if it creates a useful route from home to a grocery store or cafe, for instance -- it wouldn't be hard to create an opportunity to walk each and every day. However, the majority of my route this morning was along 51st Street, where traffic averages 45-50 mph (it's posted 35 mph) and the "pedestrian lane" is a narrow edge of the roadway deliniated by a white line.
Fortunately, the city is working to continue a sidewalk that runs in front of the high school and currently gets you about 1/5th of the way between Drexel and Rawson. It connects people to the grocer, pharmacy, and convenience store/gas station that are at the corner of 51st and Rawson. Eventually, many people will be able to make a morning or evening walk towards a cup of coffee or a few groceries part of their daily routine.
That's the challenge we face: Connecting roads like the one above to other roads like the one above. That way, walking becomes organic to daily life.
Why is this important? Watch and listen to the video below (BONUS: This gentleman has an enormously relaxing speaking voice, you'll find).
One of the best parts of my day is walking my daughter the 6 blocks to school. This walk gives me exercise and gives me 15 minutes to talk with my daughter about whatever comes to mind.
After the school morning scramble, it's a great way for both of us to clear our minds for the day ahead.
Posted by: David | November 10, 2011 at 02:01 PM
That sounds like a bit of nirvana, David.
Next year my daughter starts high school right across the street from us - however, it's about six or seven city blocks door-to-door (HUGE parking lot, etc.). Hopefully, we can make a habit of walking together once a week or so.
Then again, what high schooler wants to walk with their dad to school?
Posted by: John Michlig | November 10, 2011 at 02:19 PM
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Posted by: Best Dissertation Writing Services | January 24, 2012 at 05:36 AM
I disagree. Franklin works on a grid system and in order for that grid system to actually work and get people where they need to go, there needs to be major intersections. 51st st is one of the roads of major intersections (I.E. 51st and rawson, 51st and drexel etc.).
Although 51st may not have sidewalks, most suburban Franklin streets that I've seen do. So...your beef is with no sidewalks on major roads? Use side roads. Better yet, take a look at your neighbor Greendale. They've got a pretty sweet setup when it comes to getting around by foot.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 21, 2012 at 01:21 PM
With all due respect, Anonymous, a quick look at Google Maps will show you that, if Franklin DOES employ a grid, it is not a HUMAN-SCALE grid by any stretch of the imagination. The main roads (which are the only ones that can be remotely thought of as "gridlike") are aligned with the mile-square platting that original survey maps provided.
Subdivision developers, in fact, plotted their roads to ELIMINATE the possibility of a grid. This means that Franklin, like many suburbs, is auto-centric and full of places you can SEE but cannot get to safely on foot.
Furthermore, emergency vehicles have to take circuitous routes to reach, for instance, Pleasant View Elementary School.
That's not to say that there aren't discrete areas of Franklin where a pseudo-grid exists; it's a huge suburb. However, this is a city built for FAST CARS, and woe to you if you are elderly, differently-abled, or a kid.
Further information (with maps and illustrations)
The Collector Road: http://fullyarticulated.typepad.com/sprawledout/the-collector-road.html
Roads as sewers: http://fullyarticulated.typepad.com/sprawledout/roads-as-sewers.html
Posted by: John Michlig | February 21, 2012 at 01:35 PM