Keep Your Sidewalks Clear

I love to walk all around town, and I was actually inspired to write this blog post today, a rainy Saturday, as I walked to for lunch. I live about a half a mile away from the place that I think serves the best eggplant grinders in town, and thought that despite the rain it would be nice to get a little exercise. I got out my umbrella and headed down the hill – not thinking it would turn into a more difficult task than expected.

Along the way I found myself shocked at how overgrown certain residences had let their bushes and shrubs get, absolutely blocking the sidewalk for most who would want to get by. I am in relatively good shape, and still found it hard to maneuver through the maze of vegetation (especially with an umbrella!), and I could not imagine how difficult it would be for someone who was handicapped or unable to dodge and hold back branches.  I saw another fellow rainy day walker actually walking in the narrow breakdown lane with his umbrella.

This is not an attack against one household – this happened multiple times in the short walk. And it's not just in this small stretch, I've seen the same problem in other areas as well. I've also had an issue with people parking their cars up on the sidewalk, creating the same type of blockage. Those that are walking should not have to walk into the road to dodge these obstacles – the point of the sidewalk is to keep people away from the busy traffic, not to divert them into it!

I don't care how people let their bushes go in their own yards, but when these plants creep onto public walkways, it becomes a safety issue. It should be addressed immediately instead of ignored, and it should not take a law passing for common sense to be exercised. So I would urge people who have a sidewalk running in front of their property to please take ten minutes and cut back the branches and growth, park your cars elsewhere, and all together just keep the sidewalk clear for those that are walking. It's really not that hard.