« Pedestrian Hopes

I know what heaven is like.

First, it's warm - not hot, but then again, not below freezing every day.

Second, it has side walks. Sidewalks that connect to other sidewalks. Sidewalks that can be connected to make pedestrian loops. Sidewalks that go by places to stop, buy a coffee.

Living in Maine can be challenging. We all know that.  It can be especially challenging if you are legally blind and don't drive. That means you rely on sidewalks.

Or, you walk in the street.  And you walk in the street in winter because the sidewalk isn't plowed, or passable. So you take your chances on the street, hoping that motorists see you or the dog before.. well, before it's too late.  Or, before you slip and fall on the ice right in the middle of their path.

Look, I get it.  It's tough to maintain sidewalks in Maine in the winter.  I understand. But then, I must ask, why have them?  Why not just have wider streets and plow them well - just like the city does on College Street and Central Avenue.  Walking on these streets in winter is much safer than trying to navigate uneven and icy sidewalks.

Maybe no one in the city knows or understands the challenges faced by pedestrians while winter walking.  Maybe we need a system to grade sidewalks.  Here's a grading system.

A - Awesome
B - Bearable
C - Caution
D - Dire
F - Failure - Stay at home today!

We all know the A-F grading system as we all grew up with it. And this kind of works.

So, College Street and Central Avenue get "B" - as well, it works even though there is no sidewalk.

Mollinson Way - that gets a "F" - as well, there is no attempt whatsoever to plow the already existing sidewalk.

Here's to heaven with sidewalks.