This walk focused on stretches of Alumni and Chinoe that couldn’t be combined into loops and were done as out-and-back treks. There wasn’t a lot notable about either street; the walk itself was pleasant enough but nothing particularly surprising or intriguing presented itself on these busier streets (or the shorter portion that consisted of neighborhood streets).
All posts by Marcel
Day 130-Some assembly required
Day 130 was a return to the Meadows neighborhood, near Bryan and New Circle Road, that I last visited last July, on Day 18. My impression of the area, having walked through on a cool, wet late fall day and a hot July day, is the same. This area shows some wear, but there are definite bright spots, freshly painted houses or yards that show evidence of life, toys or carefully curated landscaping. I really walked down two blocks, and the block length stood out. As I passed a long line of similar looking houses, I pondered the characteristics of a neighborhood. The neighborhoods in which I grew up consisted of a funky mix of houses, apartments, small stores, and community buildings like schools and churches. These things were all marbled together, so that there were, for example, two small grocery stores within a quarter mile. These neighborhoods had a sense of identity that was based around these local places and years later I could talk to someone about the supermarket with the pet name o a particular laundromat and they would know exactly what I was talking about. Technology–cars–have allowed us to broaden our range. We can work further away and this expands our opportunities. But neighborhood design that followed forced us to rely on cars for things that were typically provided in the neighborhood and has weakened that set of social bonds.
Day 129-Scale
Today brings me back to 40504 for my first visit to the Beaumont area. This area seems to be an example of peak ranch style, being full of 1960’s era ranch houses on large lots (The pictured house is clearly older, but the lot size is similarly large). The aspect of this area that made the biggest impression was the size of the lots. It felt like walking past a single house was a bit of an endeavor. There are some great old trees here, probably part of the original build-out.
Despite the unusually wide open scale of the blocks and houses, I noticed that a church in this neighborhood features a relatively modest scale compared to many of the newer churches that have been built around town (and I don’t necessarily mean just the Southlands and similar churches; many smaller churches have large parcels that are generally filled with grass but little else). So, while the prevailing thoughts on neighborhood planning have tended to creating smaller lots (and taller houses) in this type of neighborhood, perhaps churches (among other types of development) may be moving in the other direction.
Day 128-Reflection
This route along Old Mt. Tabor between Alumni Drive and Tates Creek Road was well-suited for a damp day like today. This short path passed by moss-covered walls and over a stream. One of the two churches along the west end of the street has built an overlook near the stream in an area just off one parking lot that seems like it could be a nice place to sit and reflect on a cool day when it’s almost-but-not-quite raining.
Today’s walk reminded me a lot of Day 103‘s path along Old Todds Road. Both Old Todd’s and Old Mt. Tabor have neighborhood streets branching off and similar wild, underbrush-filled areas along streams. Unlike Old Todds, Old Mt. Tabor has a sidewalk, which turns what would be a harry scramble into a relaxing, pleasant stroll.
Day 127-Warmth
Today was a cool, wet fall walk in the Crestwood area, just south of the Arboretum. Houses here were nearly universally well-kept, with lots of sprawling ranch houses on large lots. With Thanksgiving behind us and a nice weekend, Christmas decorations are now clearly present. It’s an interesting time of year, as seasonal decorations, and especially “holiday season” decorations, provide a unique opportunity for residents to address the street. While landscaping can provide expression, but seasonal decorations can provide a more positive expression of welcoming. On a chilly, dark afternoon, there are a few things that can make a house look welcoming. It felt like just about any seasonal decoration will do this, but evidence of life behind doors–lights in windows, also helps. This neighborhood did feel warm today–not just the houses, but the presence of a lot of people on the street, walking dogs or just out for a casual stroll, made this possible.