What Happened to Wooden Sidewalks?
When I was a kid growing up in central Maine our town had wooden sidewalks. I can remember walking on the sidewalks and my shoes making that sound they make when walking on the sidewalks. I can even remember thinking as a small child how it would be awful if the sidewalks disappeared. Well, sure enough, they disappeared when I was still very young and I miss them. They still have them in Portland, Maine on a small street in the harbor which I see whenever I go home for a visit but its such a small place.
Today I was watching an old western and saw the wooden sidewalks in the film. I was wondering why they got rid of them. They were cheap, functional and environmentally friendly not to mention a natural atmosphere. Maybe we should bring them back but then, there’s probably some kind of law saying you can’t. Seems like anything simple has a law against it. Are there any towns that still have them? I’d like to know.
Old Town Sacramento still has them, so I’m told. We would’ve gone there today, but Madie wouldn’t have it.
I don’t know that wooden sidewalks are environmentally friendly, unless they’re made of cork or bamboo.
I know what you mean about simple things being made legislatively complicated.
maliemoe
September 5, 2010 at 5:57 am
I supposed they use concrete now because it’s cheap and long-lasting? I would think wooden sidewalks would be prone to rot.
andalucy
September 5, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I remember the sidewalks being really thick heavy planks and they weren’t laid on the ground but a bit off the ground so they were dry most of the time. The good thing about them is that if you need to dig up the walk you just lift the planks and put them back. Wood is a renewable resource. The ones they have now use a lot of oil and you can’t get to anything underneath so they’re always opening up the walks.
Here in Holland they use bricks so they can be lifted when needed then put back down.
earthling
September 6, 2010 at 11:14 am
Wood is a renewable resource compared to things like plastic, that’s true. But most types of wood are not considered renewable because the trees take so many years to grow. Hence the term “tree hugger”–they’re trying to save trees from being cut so quickly they can’t replenish. Renewable–or at least “earth friendly”–woods are usually those that can grow to full maturity within five years or less.
maliemoe
September 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm