Valrico

I live here

Sidewalks are a Valrico woman's conduits of life, each destination offering another chance to commune.

By MELODY O'SHEA
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 7, 2003

I grew up in neighborhoods in south and west Philadelphia. I've lived in other places. Big cities and little towns. But living in the Brandon area has connected me to community in more ways than I can count.

My husband and I chose to live in the Tampa area more than 20 years ago because of its potential for growth. We thought access via the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway to Tampa, the interstate highways, and Tampa International Airport made Brandon a place where we could grow our family.

We love being only 60 minutes from Gulf of Mexico beaches and 20 minutes from science and art museums, a first-rate state university, a regional performing arts center and Ybor City.

We enjoy a 10- to 15-minute drive to three county parks, a regional hospital with medical specialists, industrial office parks, a regional mall, a 20-screen movie complex, a local cultural arts center, community theaters, state and county offices, and every store and restaurant imaginable.

We chose to live in neighborhoods in south Brandon and Valrico for the sidewalks. Our sidewalks take us from our front door to our schools, churches, playgrounds, ball fields and civic organizations. To the YMCA, our physicians, dentists, veterinarians, convenience stores, pharmacies and grocery stores. Sidewalks lead to fast food, fine dining, ice cream sundaes, hot java and sugary sweets. To our auto repair garages and hair salons. To entertainment, clothes, shoes, hardware stores. Along the way we experience community.

Brandon's phenomenal growth has brought a world of freedom and choices. Our neighborhoods have a sheriff's substation and a post office branch, and soon we'll have our own library!

But our greatest benefit has been growing our family in an active community where people talk to each other. We come out of our houses and connect. At the YMCA somebody jokes. In the grocery store, somebody blesses a sneeze. We like to go out to eat. A lot of us regularly visit a house of worship. We volunteer in our community. Everywhere we go we greet one another with at least a smile.

Sure, we drive. When we have to. Often more than we like. But those skinny strips of concrete sidewalk give us an environmentally sound alternative to driving. And when we walk, we slow down and speak to each other.

Soon with the construction of reversible commuter lanes and improvements to the Crosstown Expressway, we will be able to travel to and from Brandon faster than ever.

But why drive anywhere?

Sidewalks let us satisfy every need and enjoy every amenity close to home no matter our age or ability, and commune the way communities do.

Mrs. O'Shea lives on Sugar Ridge Way in Valrico. We're looking for readers to tell us, in 400 words or less, why you live where you live. Please include your likes and dislikes. Send essays to brandon@sptimes.com and please include a daytime phone number.