Municipal Value
It was a beautiful day yesterday in Sherwood Park Alberta and I took a walk with my son. As we were walking I chatted with him about municipalities and how important they are. He’s starting his first year at the University of Alberta next year and mentioned environmental engineering.
We took this picture and I described to him how much value was in the pic:
- The sidewalk is a transportation asset. It is used to get kids to school, people to work and for recreation (a leisure walk or jogging).
- Bylaws keep the snow off the sidewalk in winter and control the parking and the speeds on the road beside us.
- The green grass areas support storm-water drainage as do the gutters engineered by the roads beside the sidewalk.
- Asset management programs ensure the sidewalk is well maintained.
- The fire hydrant at the end of the block keeps the community safe by providing water for fire services and water infrastructure is engineered to ensured there is sufficient fire flow in case there is ever an emergency.
- The crosswalk sign supports traffic control and protects people on their walk.
- The recycling bin shows the municipal commitment to the environment.
Anything I missed ?
After our talk he said he may major in business. HA-HA!