In Marblehead, a town where 8,144 households have at least one person under age eighteen, it is inevitable that there will be hundreds of children walking to and from school each day. In addition, the lack of school buses increase this number. Walking to school is great exercise, and often gives children a great way to socialize before and after school. However, in the winter, walking to school can switch from a leisurely stroll on the rail trail, to an incredibly dangerous environment.
When I moved to Marblehead two years ago, I was astonished that there was no rule about shoveling sidewalks. In the small city in The Berkshires that I grew up in, I would have never had to walk in the busy streets because the sidewalks were piled with snow. This was never a concern because according to the city law, all sidewalks had to be shoveled so they were completely passable, or else there would be a fine. Neighbors helped to shovel sidewalks and driveways of elderly neighbors, and on snowy days, we would often wake up to have our front walk cleared just out of the kindness of our neighbors.
All parents should be able to send their kids to school without the worry of their children not being able to get to school because of unshoveled or icy sidewalks. Next time it snows this winter, get out your shovels or your snowblower, and shovel your sidewalk and driveway. You’ll be getting some exercise and making sure that everyone feels safe walking around Marblehead this winter. While you’re out there, shovel a neighbor’s sidewalk too.