Charting a Path to Fox Elementary

Local parents have been very excited ever since the Richmond Public School Board task force on rezoning released recommendations that include unifying the entire Byrd Park neighborhood, zoned for Fox Elementary instead of a split between Clark Springs and John B. Cary. Even though the Board has delayed the vote for further research, it's probably a good idea to work out the logistics, should the recommendation be ratified.

Walking from the Byrd Park neighborhood to Fox Elementary (0.7 mi) is actually shorter than a walk to Clark Springs (0.92 mi) and even John B. Cary (0.83 mi). The trick is to walk across the footbridge that connects to Addison (aka Strawberry St and then it's a straight shot. Don't worry about the footbridge.  It's probably safer than crossing most streets, especially Blanton Ave or Meadow.

The first spot that we need to be concerned about is cross

ing Parkwood on Addison, right in front of Lamplighter. The speeding cars here has been a hot topic on this blog.  Making the street one way, headed west, probably made it less safe. When this becomes the popular walkway for kids making their way to Fox elementary, then we've got to have a four-way stop.

A block further north and your child is looking at crossing the speedway that is Cary Street, only the traffic is headed east.  Fresca is there and so is a fire-station.  But the only thing stopping those cars is a traffic light or a crossing guard.  The next corner has a stop light. Main street is the gateway to the Fan neighborhood. The streets aren't necessarily serene, but it's friendlier walking to and from school.

What do you think? Would you let your little one walk to Fox? Okay, probably not for kindergarten, but how about at age seven? Do I hear ten?