Writing About Improved Pedestrian Access For A Decade, Before Becoming Disabled
In the nearly ten years I’ve written this blog I’ve consistently argued for improved pedestrian access, even before I became disabled in February 2008. Newer readers may have forgotten my early advocacy for walkability, here are some reminders:
- October 2004: Kirkwood Station Plaza, another great idea with questionable execution
- December 2004: Gravois Plaza Less Pedestrian-Friendly than previous center
- January 2005: Loughborough Commons will be Common indeed!
- February 2005: McDonalds May Move Across Grand to Former Sears Site
- June 2007: St. Louis Restripes Bad Crosswalk, Enforcement Needed
The above posts were all before my stroke! I’m particularly proud of pushing for pedestrian access at Loughborough Commons, it’s a better than planned project because of my pushiness.
Loughborough Commons would’ve been better had the city, developer, and engineers planned for pedestrian access & internal circulation from the start. They didn’t, but by pushing throughout construction I helped the project be just a little accommodating to pedestrians. In one post I even said something like “I hope I don’t become disabled” when arguing why it was important for new development to welcome pedestrians in edition to motorists.
Yes, I’ve posted about crosswalks & pedestrian access since becoming disabled — but they’ve been a regular topic since that first day I started writing: October 31, 2004.
— Steve Patterson
Kudos to you, Steve!
Thank you.
Humble as always.
This comment is from St. Louis, but not likely from Craig Schnuck.
I consider myself a pretty average, ordinary, everyday dude. Born and raised in the suburbs of STL County and used to driving everywhere all over the STL region, but man do I love walking places. Always have. So much more pleasant and engaging in my surroundings than driving. Even in the subdivision built in the early 70s I grew up in there were sidewalks and the ability to walk to a grocery store and a few other places. However, I noticed as time went on, newer subdivisions seemed to have less pedestrian access – even completely lacking sidewalks.
On the surface, bringing attention to these things might seem like back page news but the ramifications of no pedestrian access are larger: Not allowing for the chance of one learning that it might be more pleasant and practical to walk seems would make awareness of construction with/without pedestrian access oblivious and unimportant to that person. Results: A negative feedback loop. No pedestrian access becomes the norm without people even realizing what they might be missing.
Another mentionable: Think of all of our awesome neighborhoods here in the STL. Walkability is something they have in common. Probably not a coincidence.
Keep fighting the good fight. And thanks for your help with metro, when Steve complains they sometimes actually listen.