The map below shows the difference in roaming areas of children from one generation to the next:
I remember roaming far and wide as a kid (a kid being middle school mostly) especially when we were on a mission. Although I enjoyed this freedom I’m not sure I can imagine allowing my son the same range of motion. Also, this article reminds me of one from a little while ago about the disappearance of the sidewalk.
Roaming article via Kottke.org.
Tags: maps
June 25, 2007 at 2:59 am
Interesting diagram.Really makes you realize why fitness is such an issue today.
June 25, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I remember being “on a mission,” playing in the woods near Lake Whetstone & the construction sites of what is now a very large and sprawling housing subdivision. When I came home from Korea in 1995, I was shocked at how much of the area where we played in G-burg was gone. Especially nearby South Lake Elem. Then I drove up to G-town and, no lie, got lost in my own development — I hard a hard time figuring out where SVHS was! Hell, you live in Frederick, which, when we were kids, used to be “the boonies” or “Fredneck”…remember? My family lives up there and the last time I went to visit it was like being in DC. So much has changed.
June 25, 2007 at 8:05 pm
I know germantown has changed a lot. hardly the same joint anymore. after college I also got lost driving around g-town. Thanks for stopping by Corey!
June 27, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Times certainly have changed. The neighborhood I live in now would have been my dream neighborhood as a child. Woods, trails, streams, lakes and ponds all over the place. The funny thing is, I hardly ever see kids outside playing like we used to when we were young. Reminds me of a story my co-worker told me. He built his kids a super-sweet tree house near a stream that runs through their back yard. During the months that he was constructing this thing not one of his 3 boys came out to even take a look at the tree house. When it was complete, he told them to come check out their new tree house. My buddy says that the first thing they said after climbing inside was “Cool! Dad, can you run and extension chord out here so we can play video games?”