Walkability. Another favorite word.
If nothing else walking kept us sane during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Walking to school and learning about frogs under the Sycamores of South Main is a real thing. Walking to the farmers market with friends and getting a cuppa joe at On What Grounds or The Burley Cafe — is an event we look forward to. Walking to J&M to get some fresh meat, or Heart of Gold Kids for a new outfit is a real thing. Walking to the Island Creamery after dinner, yes — another downtown event that just happens without thinking. Walking to many services is a reality here, but we need more. We need more mixed-use space. And because the groundwork is already here we have a head start. But to begin, there are two sides to Berlin and only one safe way to connect — this has to change.
For many years, I have listened to many podcasts, and books while traveling and driving. One topic I have spent a lot of time with is the importance of “Walkability” and how it impacts a town’s livelihood, especially in today’s economy - and even more so now in a post-COVID-19 economy. The best part is that we’re well on our way! We currently score the following results from WalkScore: “101 South Main Street”
BERLIN MARYLAND WALKABILITY SCORES
Walk score: 63 - Somewhat walkable - some errands can be accomplished on foot.
Bike score: 58 - Bike-able - some bike infrastructure.
And as you can imagine — I want those higher, and so should you. When those are higher we’ve filled all of the shops on all of the first floors of Downtown Berlin with all of the things that a small town needs. And then we make it to this list!
We’ve already got a head-start, and there’s only so much the council can do - but if we can spur on new businesses to come to Berlin, and show them how making more services available will in-turn bring in more “Beds and Heads”, we’re growing from the inside and we’re all winning.
Here’s more information on walkability and small towns from the podcast I listen to called: Strong Towns. Thank you to my good friend, and the Mayor of Salisbury, Maryland Jake Day for that advice!
In addition here’s a link to an explainer document on Maryland’s Crosswalk Laws.