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VALHALLA, N.Y. -- With gas prices rising and the warm weather just around the corner, keeping the car in the garage and taking a walk or bike around town could be an ideal way to save money while getting some fresh air and exercise. Yet some residents in Mount Pleasant wish the town would be just a little more walkable.
I think its safe to walk around in terms of people dont drive too quickly, but it would always be better to have more sidewalks, said Valhalla resident April Reda.
On the website WalkScore.com, the town of Mount Pleasant received a score of 26 out of 100 and is defined as a car-dependent town. In comparison, the village of Pleasantville received a score of 97 out of 100 and is defined as a walkers paradise. WalkScore.com factors in the distance between many local businesses in the town while adding in the amount of public transportation and walkways that are accessible to residents.
Reda said that its not so much a matter of having few sidewalks and walkways, but more so that things are spread out throughout the town. The town resident of 35 years said walking to a major local spot such as the nearest train station, Valhalla, is out of the question.
The train station from my house is 2.5 miles away, so I dont think I would walk there either way, Reda said.
Tim Larkin said the lack of walkable areas is concerning for him with a young child.
Always recognized the walkability was lacking but never so much after we had our child, Larkin said. Walking with a stroller feels like a risk every time.
Mount Pleasant resident Richard Roksvold said although an injury to his knee hinders his walking, the street layout near his home eliminates walking all together.
Route 117 runs right nearby my home and at the end of my street, theres no light there so I couldnt even go across or walk down there if I wanted to, Roksvold said.
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