Hostile Territory for Travel by Foot

"We've had some close calls," said John Jennison, president of the Mantua Citizens' Association. "But we don't want a tombstone mind-set to be the tipping point for why we want that sidewalk."

The citizens association and the Mantua Elementary PTA recently pooled resources to produce $6,000 in seed money for sidewalks, but there are significant obstacles. One is funding: County budgets in recent years have provided no new money for sidewalks or trails.

The other hurdle is legal. If there is no space in the existing public right-of-way, new sidewalks must go over private property, requiring the approval of owners. In Mantua, one resident has refused to sign off, Jennison said.

It is a common problem with smaller, spot projects, officials say.

"It's the little missing links that are hard to get," said Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence).

Some property owners fear crime from increased foot traffic that sidewalks might bring and lawsuits from pedestrians who fall. Others resist on aesthetic or philosophical grounds, concerned that sidewalks would nudge the character of a neighborhood further from its rural roots.

When the county needs land for water or sewer projects, it can exercise its powers of "quick take" eminent domain, which allows the county to deposit what it considers a fair price for property with the courts and get speedy access to the land.

But pedestrian projects are not covered by "quick take." The pedestrian task force recommended to the Board of Supervisors that it lobby the state legislature for such authority.

The county could pursue hold-out property owners in court but is reluctant to do so.

"Who wants to go there?" Gross said.

At Mantua Elementary School, Assistant Principal Cheryl Thompson said she hopes improvements can be made before someone gets hurt. "I just hold my breath that nothing happens to those kids."