Greenwood Public Library

2/17/23 Greenwood library

I already miss my easy walk to the library whenever I want a book. The Green Lake Branch of the Seattle Public Library, my “home” branch, is closed until early next year for a seismic retrofit. The book I had on hold got sent to the Greenwood Branch for pickup, which is definitely not within easy walking distance, but it does have the advantage of underground parking.

On the drizzly morning when I went to get my book, I opted to park across the street so that I could make a quick sketch of the library. It’s not a lovely Carnegie building like the Green Lake Branch, but it’s large, modern and bright. I knew I would be there only for a few minutes, so I parked on the wrong side of the street. Before I could finish, though, this guy parked even more illegally than I did (right on the corner beyond the sign saying “no parking east of here”), blocking much of my view. How rude!

How rude!

Incidentally, I recently read an article about the relative “walkability” of Seattle neighborhoods. According to one definition, a walkable neighborhood is one in which a resident could walk to food stores, public libraries, parks, public transportation stops, restaurants, coffee shops and public schools within 15 minutes. Apparently Paris is a model for this ideal. Paris it ain’t, but based on these criteria, I’m pleased to say that Maple Leaf qualifies as an ideal neighborhood.