I think – like most folks who live outside Crozet, but are Crozet-centric – that making Crozet walk-centric is a great idea, but it needs to go hand-in-hand with creating parking. I haven’t been to the Crozet Library in a while simply because there’s never a legal parking space when I pass by (and the illegal ones are usually taken). I can’t justify occupying parking spaces for other business whose parking is also cramped (especially if I’m not patronising their business!). I can’t think of a business in Crozet that I haven’t had issues finding parking for at one time or another, with the possible exception of the Great Valu/Sal’s/Dollar General parking lot, which has come very close to being full on occasion.

It’s a tangly problem – these are old roads and buildings in an old town with new traffic, new technologies,and new populations, and there’s limited space for everything. And these days, there’s limited to no money.

What’s the courtesy if you have to go to the post office, the hardware, and the Library. Do you move your car three times? There’s no guarantee that you are going to get a spot at any of those lots, but you may be making it harder for those other citizens to mail a package, buy some birdseed (or pick up their Chinese food or their prescription at the pharmacy), or pick up a book they reserved. In a town like Crozet, moving your car to those three places seems a little illogical if you are aren’t wrangling kids, canes, or a heavy/awkward load. At the same time, I feel bad if I’m occupying a spot at a highly-trafficked shopping center/parking lot to walk all over Crozet doing my errands. It’s a tough one!

We may be talking about different people, of course. Short descriptions and a growing population can be hard to reconcile. The gentleman I’m speaking of is someone who would respond to conversational overtures should you both be someplace where that is viable.

Not to stereotype, but on occasion I’ve seen a somewhat grungy, long-grey-haired older man sitting at the light at Old Trail and 250 at odd times. My daughter said he used to come around to the back of Henley when there were soccer practices — walking through the woods to get there.

Does anyone know anything about him?

We are just, as a society, much more (too much more) restrictive with how much freedom we give our kids.

Kids aren’t allowed to roam and I think that’s a real shame.

Assuming there were sidewalks everywhere, why wouldn’t parents let their kid walk to school? I know I would.

I hear what you’re saying, but as a general rule, wouldn’t it make sense for Old Trail to encourage walking/biking to schools? That would be so beneficial on so many fronts.

I absolutely agree with everything you said. My disagreement is more fundamental – that schools/government should not make such decisions for the families/children. If the parents want their kids to walk to school, they should be allowed to.

And from Old Trail’s perspective, how many of those kids are walking to school? They have the infrastructure.