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).
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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 122-A winning formula?
This route took me to an area south of Lansdowne-Merrick park, around and along Tates Creek Road. In contrast to the area north of the park, homes here are multifamily, duplexes and condos. This area is also home to some businesses including the Lansdowne Shoppes. This seems like a good formula to me, similar to the Alexandria drive area. I need to remember to pass through here on a pleasant weekend day to see if it has a similar vibe.
Day 121-Behind the Arboretum
This route went through the Shadeland neighborhood, next to the Arboretum on the Tate’s Creek side. This area was dominated by sprawling ranch homes with large lots. Only the portion of this route along Bellefonte has sidewalks, providing a nice contrast between the two areas. Sidewalks don’t necessarily create a sense of safety here as they might along busier streets, but they do alter the relationship of houses and yards to the street. This neighborhood connects directly to the Arboretum and I’ve been anxious to walk through these areas. What must it be like to have the Arboretum in your backyard? Some green thumbs are in evidence. One of my favorite yards included the orange shrub pictured here.
Day 120-Parkways and Driveways
This route ran around the Ashland Park neighborhood and Woodland Park area, mostly covering Main and Central. The streets here were surprisingly wide for an area that predates car dominance. In some instances, streets had wide parkway areas, a common theme here and in nearby areas (see Mentelle Park, for example). It’s hard to tell whether these areas are generally significant from a public space perspective though the area enclosed by Desha and Fincastle streets has a tire swing and a bench.