Maxwell Park Neighborhood News
Maxwell Parkers Take to the Streets

by Sarah Hipolito

Maxwell Park Walks

Remember how much fun we had riding our bikes when we were kids? Last summer, one youngster didn't have as much fun he was accosted by several boys who stole his bike. His mother posted the information on the Maxwell Park Yahoo group. Several folks held an impromptu meeting at Jan Hetherington's house. They wanted to find a positive way to connect with neighbors, keep an eye out for each other.

Walter Williams was there and suggested neighborhood walks. "When I moved into the neighborhood last summer, I saw the neighborhood watch signs, and I remember wondering whose eyes they represented." He took the lead, hosting a second meeting at his house. Present were Jose Dorado, Mica Miro (then assistant to Councilmember Brooks), and Walter. Jose brought a map; Walter picked the route and starting place.

Why Does Walter Walk?

I asked Walter if he used to enjoy walking as a kid. He said he mostly enjoyed playing basketball growing up in Hollywood. Walking was boring to him, except at Halloween, because he and his friends collected pillowcases full of treats. It turns out that I used to live on his street, Beachwood Drive, at about the same time he was of trick-or-treating age. He must have come to my apartment at one time! He is now a fundraiser for the University of San Francisco, where he uses organizing, people-management, and outreach skills all giving a boost to his idea of using a neighborhood walk as a means of connecting with others.

Keep On Walking

Walter scheduled the first walk at 7 p.m., July 8 last year, and posted it on the e-mail group. The walks continued steadily since then. The size of the walk group ranges from as few as three to the largest at 55, when former police chief Richard Word attended. Jean Quan joined walkers, and Desley Brooks plans to go on a Saturday walk soon.

Walking As Outreach

Walter sees these walk outings as a positive way to bring people together to exchange ideas and information about the neighborhood. Walking is an activity that can be enjoyed by all neighbors (adults, kids, and dogs), including those in their front yards watching the walkers. Walkers greet neighbors and hand out walk flyers with e-mail group information. Our Yahoo Group has over 420 members, thanks in part to the walkers' outreach. They pick up trash and keep incident logs to report abandoned autos and other problems to our Neighborhood Services Coordinator, Araina Richards.

Other folks are interested in the neighborhood walking idea, and there is talk of coordinating with the Laurel District neighbors. Would you like to walk with us?

The current walk schedule is Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. Walkers meet at the corner of Monticello and Fleming. The walks last about an hour.

Walter Williams, walk organizer, fotolife\@yahoo.com

Nick Lostracco, photographer, www.lostracco.com

Jan Hetherington, Yahoo group moderator, jan\@moves-to-improve.com

Jim Gilsenan, MaxPark Families, jfgilsenan\@yahoo.com