In this age of divisiveness, how about we all take a deep breath, acknowledge a misstep regarding the paint-over in Nonantum, rise above the anger, and work together to craft a solution to allow the community to move forward?

Tradition can be honored without compromising safety.

Consider The Freedom Trail in downtown Boston—not dissimilar—a route marking important events and sites in our collective tradition. The trail winds through the city on sidewalks and occasionally crosses streets. It does not follow the center-line of any roadway (thus not compromising vehicular traffic).  It does allow pedestrians to follow the route safely.

Suggestion: Recreate the red, white and green lines on the sidewalks in Nonantum. This would accomplish all the goals and satisfy all needs. If appropriate, colored brickwork could be used instead of paint. Brickwork would be more permanent and preclude annual repainting.

Or, as has been done in Boston: “painted sections of the historic Freedom Trail are being replaced with a new thermoplastic treatment. The multi-colored strips are being applied with heat and are expected to last up to eight years, improving on the time consuming and inefficient seasonal painting of the non-bricked areas of the historic way.”

There may be other creative solutions.  Let’s pull together and not pull apart.

Sincerely,

B. Kann
Newton Centre