Community

I have read a lot of things lately which point to the way we build our physical communities as a source of several social problems. Urban sprawl has made it virtually impossible for a great many people to walk to any destination. The lack of sidewalks and/or bike paths makes non-vehicular transportation dangerous. All of these promote a sedentary lifestyle which leads directly to obesity.

Sometime in the not to distant past - the last year or two - our neighborhood lobbied for and got a sidewalk along 37th Street between Womer and Seneca. 37th Street is a narrow, two-lane road which has no shoulder and ditches on each side. Our neighborhood has a drainage ditch which made it impossible to walk very far without having to walk along 37th.

Even before the sidewalk was totally completed I started seeing people out walking. The pond across from our house is a popular place for a stroll. Regardless of the weather there are walkers out, some with dogs, some with ear-phones, some just walking.

Usually a bicycle traffic is not allowed on sidewalks, but in our case the sidewalk doubles as a bike path. Again the nature of the street makes it extremely dangerous for bike riders so they are encouraged to use the sidewalk.

Harry and I have started walking every night and I have been impressed by the sense of community which can be developed just be brief encounters during a stroll. People with dogs are easy to meet; everyone seems to be happy to have you admire the pet. People listening to their music seem happy to look up and say hi. The only ones who appear to be cut off from the other walkers are the ones on cell phones. I often wonder if they are really on a call or are just using it to isolate themselves.

I have never been one to become acquainted with a lot of my neighbors. When I worked full time and had "women's work" to do when I got home there just wasn't time. Often there is not opportunity as everyone stays shut in his/her own little world. Harry has always done better because he works outside in the yard and garden, but even then he usually only knows those adjacent to us or across the street. I still don't know many neighbors, but I do feel now that several people would recognize me as a member of the "hood" and there is comfort in that. I believe people need connection with other people and, amazingly, sidewalks and walking can help that.