Have you ever been walking to the parking lot down by Skoglund trying to determine which side of the road’s steep shoulders you should awkwardly walk along? Or been driving and having to be overly aware of the many pedestrians swarming all over the place due to the lack of a sidewalk? I know I have. This is one of the many reasons I think the road to the Skog parking lot needs to have a sidewalk.
First off, while it’s great to live on the Hill, the hill aspect itself can be challenging at times. The parking lot is basically at the bottom of the hill, so going to and from it can be a little dicey and effortful. Combine that with the Minnesota ice and snow and we’ve got ourselves a rough place to traverse through. The parking lot is also decently far from most students’ residence halls.
Even while living in Ytterboe — the dorm in the closest proximity to the lot — the walk is awkward and stressful. When walking, I have to make sure I’m close enough to the side of the road, right by the winter slush, to ensure I won’t get hit by a car on my way. Or I could go in the grass and slip up or down the incline, hoping the fruits of my Target run don’t tumble with me.
Not only would having a sidewalk here make access to the parking lot easier, but it would also make it easier to get to the Natural Lands and sports fields. Those who want to go to these locations will inevitably face the parking lot chaos on their way, and a sidewalk would make it a lot simpler for them to get from Point A to Point B.
I also think it would be more convenient to have a sidewalk from a driver’s perspective as well, since each time I drive there I have to be very cautious of pedestrians who are struggling with the inconvenient trip. Having a sidewalk would make things easier for those walking as well as driving, and I think it’s definitely something St. Olaf should consider. It would be a lot more convenient and efficient for students and visitors alike.
