Happy Thanksgiving!

Walking has many health benefits.  Too bad that Norbeck Road is not a walkable area at the moment

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  We have lots to be thankful for, especially with our loving families, roofs over our heads, yummy food, warm clothing, creature comforts, and so forth.  But one thing that we could be thankful for (and hopeful for) are sidewalks and pedestrian-bike paths to ensure the safety and well-being of our children, friends, and neighbors who live off Norbeck Road and Layhill Road.

A popular holiday tradition among many families is going for a leisurely walk or bike ride before sitting down to hearty meal of turkey, stuffing, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and pumpkin pie. 

Unfortunately for those who live off Norbeck and Layhill Road, they can't really walk or bike anywhere since their residential streets are only accessible by car due to the fact that neither Norbeck Road and Layhill Road have sidewalks or bike paths. 

Consequently, residents must get in their cars and drive elsewhere, which adds to the traffic congestion on both roads and pumps more exhuast emissions into the atmosphere.

Even worse, there are many residents who cannot drive due to age, ability, income, health, etc.  So they are trapped and isolated in their neighborhoods and must rely on family members and friends to drive them.  That can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you value your independence. 

Wouldn't it be nice if residents could walk and bike to the nearby ICC Bike Trail, the East Norbeck Local Park (aka Bradford Park), the Layhill Park, the Olney Pool, the Leisure World Shopping Center, etc.?  This could happen only if sidewalks and pedestrian-bike paths are built on the entire stretches of Norbeck Road and Layhill Road.

With this blog and campaign, I hope that we come together as a collective voice to pressure State and County officials to take action that would make Norbeck Road and Layhill Road more accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone who cannot drive.  Doing so would also make both roads safer for motorists since they would not have to worry about hitting or swerving around pedestrians and bicyclists in the road. 

And property values would probably improve if the area becomes more walkable.  See my earlier blog story on a study that showed a positive relationship between walkability and property values.

Please lend your support by e-mailing our State and County officials.  Their contact information is posted below and also available on the right-side of this blog.

Thanks for your support and happy Thanksgiving,
Jesse

Please telephone or e-mail our County Councilmembers and County Executive:
Nancy Navarro at 240-777-7968 or Councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov
Marc Elrich at 240-777-7966 or Councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov
Phil Andrews at 240-777-7906 or Councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov
Ike Leggett at 240-777-2500 or ocemail@montgomerycountymd.gov

Also, please telephone or e-mail our State Senators:
Roger Manno (301-858-3151) or roger.manno@senate.state.md.us
Karen S. Montgomery (301-858-36251) or karen.montgomery@senate.state.md.us