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.
Day 119-Keep Cool
Today’s walk was in Kenwick, not far from yesterday’s route in the Fairway neighborhood. Heavy rain dampened the leaves and made for a very different walk despite the still-pleasant weather. Handmade signs asking drivers to slow down are common in front of houses here. There are no tree lawns and yards generally feel a little less grand. Mentelle Park offers some common space, the only such space on this route.
Day 118-Queen Carolyn
Today was a great day for a walk through the Fairway neighborhood, sunny, with the smell of fallen leaves in the air, very pleasant. This was my second trip through this neighborhood, with my first pass back in July of 2014, on Day 9. This part of the neighborhood is a little different, with some duplexes and apartment buildings along Carolyn, including the pictured Queen Carolyn.
Day 117-Street Trees, Liberty Road continued
A pleasant walk through the quiet Eastwood neighborhood along Liberty. The regular street trees add a sense of richness here that a lot of similar neighborhoods miss out on.