Editorials / Opinion

Seattle Times letters to the editor

Alternative to concrete sidewalks

On the East side of Aurora Avenue North, Richard Dyksterhuis talks with Barbara Gray of Seattle’s Department of Transportation. Dyksterhuis wants to add sidewalks and other developments to the area. (GREG GILBERT / THE SEATTLETIMES)

I was very interested in Richard Dyksterhuis’ idea to put double-wide sidewalks along Aurora Avenue from North 125th to 145th Street [“Happy warrior battles to tame Aurora,” NWMonday, March 18]. It is a great idea and would provide much more safety for the people in the region.

However, I would strongly suggest that the sidewalks be made of something other than concrete and perhaps be a pathway. Many of the shoppers I’ve seen in that area are older people and concrete sidewalks are nonresilient and really hard on the spine, especially as we age. I have noticed the difference in walking on concrete compared with walking along the side of the roads in the area where I live in Shoreline. I would much prefer walking on the side of the road to the concrete sidewalks that are in a few places.

If Seattle considers the suggestion of Dyksterhuis, I do hope the planners will check out the different materials that are currently used in walkways. When I have visited my family in Southern California, I have been aware of some of the play areas that are made of recycled materials rather than concrete. They are much safer for children.

–Mary Bartholet, Shoreline