Happy Earth Day! (Unless you’re reading from somewhere else, in which case, Happy Monday!)

art credit: v-collins

I’m almost too tired to do much celebrating today. The combination of our semi-annual neighborhood clean-up on Saturday and over three hours of lawn maintenance on Sunday have me feeling a bit pooped.

I live in a nice, middle-class suburb, where most people take care of their lawns. Unfortunately we have a “cut-through” street that connects two busier thoroughfares, and some of those people see no problem in tossing trash out their car windows. Most residents pick up the transient trash that lands in their yards or gutters, and other folks (that’d be me) pick up for those who can’t or just plain don’t pick up quickly. (We have a lot of senior-types who aren’t able. The others are just slobs.)

Besides being ugly, the problem with trash in the gutters is that the first gully-washer rain we get sends the trash straight to a storm drain, where it will either block the drain so that rain water backs up and causes flooding, or it will empty into the system and wind up in the Mississippi River. Here’s a little look at what happens when a metropolitan area of over a million people doesn’t keep its storm drains clear of trash (video only lasts a minute or so):

Pitiful. That’s the only word for it: pitiful.

I’m marginally pleased to report that on this past Saturday, we found only a few bottles and cans in the neighborhood proper–the adjacent wooded lane we’ve adopted was another story entirely–but we did have a pretty big problem plaguing our streets: oak catkins, or as I call it, oak poop. Catkins are the male oak flower, and once they’ve done their pollen-y thing, they drop from the tree where the spring winds toss them about to collect in huge piles in the street. And where does this go? Straight to the storm drain.

On the left you see the oak poop. On the right, you see one of the drains I cleared on Saturday. This one was especially tough, because small branches had washed onto the top of the drain openings and then silt had come in on top of it to create a complete blockage. Think: suburban beaver dam. After I’d cleared the loose layer on top, I ran (literally!) back home for my small shovel and cleared the muck and yuck from the drain so that it will, you know, drain. We’re supposed to have thunderstorms tomorrow. I may go out to watch “my” drain do it’s thing.

I really don’t understand why so many people don’t seem to care. Still, I’m committed to “enlightening” my neighbors and have assembled some tips for ensuring our community’s trash doesn’t make it to the local river:

Tips for Being Good Storm Drain Guards

• When you see trash, pick it up.
• Secure the lids on trash cans and recycle bins, especially during windy times.
• Don’t blow lawn clippings or leaves into the street.
• Take your pet droppings to your trash can. Dropping them down the storm drain is NOT the solution. (I don’t like carrying around dog poo either, especially in the summer, but I’ll do it joyfully in the quest for a healthier planet.)
• Don’t use a storm drain for a dumping station for waste products. You might as well go ahead and drink it straight, because it’s going to end up in your water supply anyway.
• Since I’ve actually seen someone dumping used motor oil into a drain, another good tip is to keep the phone number of the appropriate reporting agency handy. (In Memphis, you can even report it online!)

Feel free to “enlighten” your community as well! And until they see the light, why not check out your nearest storm drain to make sure it’s clear?!

Today, I’m focusing on a different set of gutters: the ones on my house. With three poop-dropping oak trees in my yard, my gutters runneth over. Oh well, lots more functional exercise today! This might be my third 1000+ calories-burned day in a row!

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?

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I don’t know whether to call this post a public service announcement, a plea for mercy, or a rant–maybe it’s all three.

One of my greatest joys is going for long walks. I enjoy the fresh air, my body benefits from the exercise, my computer-fatigued eyes appreciate looking at far-away things, and my mind welcomes the opportunity to roam a bit. In short, I thrive on walking outdoors.

I most enjoy walking around my neighborhood, partly to check out what’s going on with my neighbors, but also because I think a strong pedestrian presence is an asset to a neighborhood. It conveys a vibrancy and energy that speaks well of the community. And, I hope, boosts property values.

My neighborhood is a subdivision on the eastern edge of Memphis. It was built about 40 years ago and has solidly-constructed homes (mostly brick) and lots of tall trees and landscaped lawns. It’s a good neighborhood, and I’m fortunate to live here.

The only negative thing I can say about my neighborhood revolves around the sidewalks. Forty years is a long time to be a sidewalk, and many of them (including one square of my own) are starting to show their age. Sidewalks aren’t cheap to repair, so believe me, I understand why folks aren’t rushing to get them fixed.

Another problem is that some people don’t seem to comprehend that sidewalks are intended for pedestrian traffic and should be kept clear of…well, name something, and I’m sure I’ve seen it on a sidewalk around here. I don’t think these particular people understand that using a sidewalk as a storage facility is not only a safety issue but one of liability as well.

In anticipation of a presentation to my neighborhood association at some point, I’ve been researching the city’s sidewalk ordinances and collecting a few photos for evidence demonstration purposes. Here are a few examples, with excerpts from City of Memphis Sidewalk Ordinances

Sec. 34-117. Obstructions generally.
It shall be a misdemeanor to obstruct any sidewalk or walkway with boxes, barrels, or other things interfering with the free passageway of the public or which may render such sidewalk or walkway unsafe for public travel. (Ord. No. 894, § 1, 4-6-71; Code 1967, § 36-104)

This was actually a street just outside my subdivision. Apparently they were doing some remodeling and felt that piling all the lumber with nails sticking out every which way was perfectly acceptable.

Besides the obvious potential for contracting lockjaw from bumping into a protruding nail, the complete blockage of the sidewalks means kids on their bikes will likely veer into the street. Also, it looks awful.

Sec. 34-118. General duty of property owner to build, repair and clean.
(b) It shall be the duty of every owner of property, whether vacant or occupied…to keep clean and open for public passage all public sidewalks or walkways abutting on or adjacent to such property, and to keep such sidewalks or walkways in good repair and condition.

There are several dangers in these badly broken sidewalks: 1) certain walkers might slip on the loose rock, 2) someone in a wheelchair could get stuck, or 3) strollers or wagons with little people could tip over.

Sec. 34-120. To be kept free of mud, weeds, grass, etc.
Every owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of any building or lot, whether vacant or occupied, within the city, shall keep, or cause to be kept, the sidewalks or walkways adjacent to or abutting such property, free from mud, weeds, grass, noxious growth, obstructions, encumbrances, trash, debris and foreign substances of every kind.

Again, these are a slipping, tripping issue–especially those &$#* gumballs!

Sec. 34-127. Foliage and tree limbs projecting over sidewalks.
It shall be a misdemeanor to permit shrubbery, hedges, or foliage of any kind to project over sidewalks or walkways so as to interfere with the free use of such sidewalks or walkways by pedestrians. All trees upon or near sidewalks or walkways shall be so trimmed that the lower branches thereof are not less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalks.

Magnolias, fountain grasses, and other pretty landscaping don’t present a huge danger to me, but imagine if I was blind or had other significant vision issues. My friend Wally, for example, would run right into any of those obstacles. Also, I’ve actually seen some of our younger biking “newbies” drive into one of those bushes.

Sec. 34-122. Time and Method of sweeping.
Sidewalks adjacent to business premises shall not be swept or cleaned, except in cases of necessity, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sidewalks shall be carefully cleaned or swept so as not to unnecessarily raise or spread dust, dried sputum or other substances which may carry the germs of infectious or contagious diseases.

Okay, I don’t have a photo for this one. I just thought it was a strange ordinance and one I have violated many, many times. I think I’ll leave it out of the presentation.

Here’s a sidewalk violation for which I can’t find an ordinance:

Surely there’s some law that says sprinkling the sidewalk (and walkers) is prohibited.

While different cities or counties will have different ordinances, I’m sure most follow the same general principles. If you’re a homeowner, you might want to take a look at your sidewalks, both in terms of the regulations and through the lens of the people who are using them. On behalf of walkers everywhere, I thank you!

What are the sidewalks like in your neck of the universe?

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