Tag: walking

The Hull Peninsula Walking Map

The Hull Peninsula Walking Map

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One of Boston’s best-kept secrets is the pleasure of walking the Hull peninsula–a long stretch of shoreline and flat, sandy public beach that welcomes discovery. The town’s relative isolation has contributed to this status: it’s out of the way, exposed to the elements, and virtually an island. Another factor might be the town’s dual personality. It’s called “Nantasket” when the topic of discussion is the old summer resort, with its grand hotels and sweeping verandas, or the contemporary, Styrofoam-cooler-style refuge for day-trippers, surfers, and sun worshippers. (The summer population can swell to more than 30,000 residents and 150,000 daily visitors.) But “Hull” describes the quieter, year-round town and its approximately 11,000 eclectic winter residents.

You can catch a blazing sunrise over the ocean and one-of-a-kind sunsets over the bay. In summer you’ll feel the luscious cool ocean breezes; in winter, the rich aroma of salt water and seaweed, sweetened by the cold.

Click for “WalkBoston’s The Hull Peninsula Walking Map” on Google Maps

Dedham Walking Map

Dedham Walking Map

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In Dedham the charm and grace of the early 1800s are still in evidence. Its center holds the town’s oldest houses and community buildings and still has bustling activity connected with the Norfolk County Courts. It stands distinct and removed from other parts of town, where farms became subdivisions and local industries once produced everything from shovels, boot to cigars.

Founded in 1635, Dedham was strategically located on the great highway of foot, horse, and wagon travel that ran from Virginia to New Hampshire. In its prime Dedham hosted presidents and political leaders, the nation’s first free public school, and notable events such as the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti.

The town lost much of its economic primacy before the twentieth century, however, and the automobile hastened its conversion to a suburban community whose boundaries blurred with those of its neighbors. This walk takes you on a loop around an oasis of history in a modern suburb.


Click for “WalkBoston’s Dedham Walking Map” on Google Maps

Hills of Somerville Walking Map

Hills of Somerville Walking Map

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Like an east coast San Francisco, Somerville’s street grid is imposed on its hills without regard to steep grades. Architects have capitalized on the city’s dramatic views with two- and three-family houses densely built in straight rows climbing the hills.

The city’s glacial hills and deep valleys were first settled by colonial farmers. Their roads—which followed crests or valleys—still exist in the form of modern-day Broadway, Somerville Avenue, Elm Street, Main Street, Washington Street, and others. The crosstown streets were once paths between farmers’ lands. The curious street grid may have helped guide the later grid layout of Midwestern and Western cities.

Early development followed the colonial roads; the unpaved range-ways were too hilly for horses. In the 19th century railroads, thoroughfares, and streetcars were all laid out, allowing Somerville to become both an industrial center and, at one point, the most densely populated city in the country.


Click for “Hills of Somerville Walking Map” on Google Maps

Queset Commons Comment Letter

Queset Commons Comment Letter

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Thank you for the opportunity to review the Draft EIR for the Queset Commons Chapter 40R Smart Growth Development in Easton, a proposed mixed-use retail, office and residential development within a Smart Growth Overlay District.

Our conviction is that developments of the size and character of Queset Commons should follow a number of general guidelines in building a mix and relationship of uses that will encourage residents and visitors to walk more and drive less.

Read the full letter here:
WalkBoston-CommentDEIR-QuesetCommons-Easton

Commonwealth Avenue Phase 3 Landscape Improvements Comment Letter

Commonwealth Avenue Phase 3 Landscape Improvements Comment Letter

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July 15, 2008

Secretary Ian Bowles
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

RE: Environmental Notification Form (ENF)
Commonwealth Avenue Phase 3 Landscape Improvements
Newton, MA
MEPA # 14269

Dear Mr. Bowles:

We have reviewed the ENF for the Commonwealth Avenue Phase 3 Landscape Improvements in Newton. We are pleased that walking and pedestrian facilities are major organizing features of the development. We are commenting because details of this worthy project may need further analysis to serve the needs of pedestrians safely and comfortably.

WalkBoston is the Commonwealth’s leading advocate for pedestrians and safe walking. We work throughout the state encouraging walking, advocating for pedestrian improvements and working for design improvements. We have extensive experience helping residents and local government with pedestrian issues, safe routes to school, and safer street crossings.

In the case of the Commonwealth Avenue project, we commend the emphasis on rationalized pedestrian crossings of both the boulevard and the carriageway.

We noted that proposed crossings of the carriageway call for granite pavers of various sizes. Granite pavers have a relatively long history of use in Massachusetts, but do not provide a crosswalk surface that is a benefit for all types of pedestrians. These pavers raise specific questions:

1. Granite pavers cause difficulties for wheeled vehicles of any kind, such as wheelchairs and baby carriages because of the rough surface and cracks between pavers. For others, the surface and the cracks between pavers pose difficulties for, among others, disabled persons or those wearing high-heeled shoes.

2. Over time, granite pavers settle or break under vehicular traffic, frequently in an irregular, causing an unintended roughness in surface and specific hazards where pavers go missing or are destroyed.

3. Maintenance of the pavers is an issue that occurs regularly, Despite offers of continued care, budgetary difficulties and agency staffing problems can confound the best intentions over time. Without proper maintenance, granite pavers can rapidly become hazards for walkers.

4. A somewhat separate issue is pedestrian safety in the face of oncoming traffic. Granite pavers are not always visible to motorists in the same way the painted crosswalks are. The reduced visibility of the pavers may require supplementary signing and pavement painting. With many if not all of the curbs to be reset along this portion of Commonwealth Avenue, pedestrian needs should be included. For example, many of the existing curb radii at intersections are being increased to provide for more smooth passage of vehicles. If traffic moves faster as a result, pedestrians may be in danger at these intersections. In some instances this also results in numerous islands for pedestrians to negotiate along circuitous paths across a single street.

Signage for the project seems to avoid mention of the presence of pedestrians and the need for motorists to respect the rights of people on foot. The few “Pedestrian” signs are to be removed and destroyed, as are the few “Children” signs and the “Speed Limit 30” signs – all of which are designed to provide for pedestrian safety. It is difficult to believe that there are no plans to replace the pedestrian warning signs on this 21st century project.

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the Commonwealth Avenue project. Please feel free to contact us if further questions arise.

Sincerely,

Wendy Landman
Executive Director