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Sidewalks
Sidewalks play a vital role in community life. As conduits for pedestrian movement and access, they enhance connectivity and promote walking. As public spaces, sidewalks are the front steps to the community, activating streets socially and economically.
Safe, accessible, well-maintained sidewalks are a fundamental community investment that enhances public health and maximizes social capital.
The City of Shawano currently has approximately 41 miles of sidewalk. Each year, approximately 0.5 miles of sidewalk are repaired.
"No one will use the sidewalk."
This might have been true in the past. However, research shows that a growing number of people are walking, and that many are children and adults age 65 and older. People need safe, convenient and pleasant places near their homes, schools and workplaces to make walking routine.
"Trees will be destroyed."
Not necessarily. Sidewalks can be curved to avoid trees. In fact, protecting a tree is one of the few reasons for a sidewalk to deviate from a direct route.
"A sidewalk will take land from my lawn."
Many homeowners don't realize how far from the curb their private property line actually extends. There's often enough of a public right-of-way easement in place to create a sidewalk without infringing in any way on a property owner's land.
"People will walk too close to my house."
There's little difference between what passersby can see from a sidewalk versus what they can already see from their cars or by walking along the edge of the street. Any nearness added by a sidewalk would likely be as little as just a few feet.
"Sidewalks increase crime."
Actually, increased pedestrian activity puts more eyes on the street and creates safety in numbers, which deters and reduces criminal activity.
Safe, accessible, well-maintained sidewalks are a fundamental community investment that enhances public health and maximizes social capital.
The City of Shawano currently has approximately 41 miles of sidewalk. Each year, approximately 0.5 miles of sidewalk are repaired.
Myth-Busting!
"No one will use the sidewalk."
This might have been true in the past. However, research shows that a growing number of people are walking, and that many are children and adults age 65 and older. People need safe, convenient and pleasant places near their homes, schools and workplaces to make walking routine.
"Trees will be destroyed."
Not necessarily. Sidewalks can be curved to avoid trees. In fact, protecting a tree is one of the few reasons for a sidewalk to deviate from a direct route.
"A sidewalk will take land from my lawn."
Many homeowners don't realize how far from the curb their private property line actually extends. There's often enough of a public right-of-way easement in place to create a sidewalk without infringing in any way on a property owner's land.
"People will walk too close to my house."
There's little difference between what passersby can see from a sidewalk versus what they can already see from their cars or by walking along the edge of the street. Any nearness added by a sidewalk would likely be as little as just a few feet.
"Sidewalks increase crime."
Actually, increased pedestrian activity puts more eyes on the street and creates safety in numbers, which deters and reduces criminal activity.