Even though it isn't perfect, it is getting better - and, it shows. A recent walk from one end of Green Hills to the other down Hillsboro Rd and up Hillsboro Circle showed notable improvements with many more pedestrians out and about (Yay!).
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| BEFORE |
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| AFTER |
As always, I am striving for the best and I did see that the new sidewalks did not incorporate a buffer of a size that can support shade providing trees - a kind of bitter pill to me (this blog is called SHADE Parade!). My recent walk was on a beautifully breezy day but I have real worries about the heat islands that these places will become. If you are not aware of heat islands, I will introduce you: consider walking next to 4-6 lanes of traffic (hot exhausting cars) on black concrete, in the blazing sun at noon in July. With no shade cover, you have most definitely created a dead sidewalk here in the south as no one, with a choice, would choose this inferno over their air conditioned single passenger vehicle. Heat islands are bad news for walkers.
Shade is a must.
The Davidson County Strategic Sidewalk Plan was created in 2003 & updated in 2008. It has clearly defined goals for the look & design of a sidewalk depending on the street type. We know what's best & yet we, in Nashville, seem to continually build sidewalks that do not fit this ideal. As anyone who has tried to get a sidewalk in their neighborhood knows, it is very very difficult to do & I would encourage you in my strongest
language to insist on sidewalks being built to this plan to allow for shade coverage.
For a quick review of the Heat Island Effect visit:
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I want to thank heartily Planning, Public Works and the numerous individuals and groups such as Angie Henderson, Walk/Bike Nashville and The Green Hills Action Partners who have negotiated endlessly to make GH more walkable. I am sure there were many more behind the scenes who I am not aware of - and, I thank them, too.
In addition, I want to thank Helga Menisci for putting her heart out there in a piece about her lovely daughter. Her review & comments on the area were so sharp - certainly from the mother's eye. I truly believe her story helped make the changes you see here.
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