One of my favorite features of the city of Picayune is the Goodyear Boulevard walking trail. Yet, a recent addition to the trail has made it difficult to maneuver to the end near City Hall.

As you drive or walk down the boulevard, you will see two plant beds surrounded by a concrete curb placed at both ends of the parking median where pedestrians walk. As a frequent runner, I know that the boulevard can be a dicey place to run, especially when not paying attention to your surroundings. But the curbed off planters are another obstacle that force pedestrians to merge into incoming traffic.

Every day, I see families walking their children in strollers, families biking or people walking their pets on Goodyear Boulevard and most of the time they are inside the walking trail, which is designated as the parking median in the middle of the well-lit road.

This is why I enjoy the walking trail so much. It’s a place where families can get off the couch and spend some quality time together, away from the glamour of today’s technology.

It also is accompanied by beautification efforts established along each side of the boulevard, but now some of that effort is shortening the walking trail.

Families do have the option to use the walking trail inside Crosby Commons, but with no lights to escort pedestrians around it, its attraction diminishes at night.

Also, many people like myself are not able to use the Crosby Commons walking trail during the day.

I advise all drivers on Goodyear Boulevard to drive cautiously, and keep an eye out for any pedestrians and their company while walking on the trail.

Also, anyone interested in taking a walk on the Goodyear Boulevard should not be afraid to do so. Just watch where you are going, take in the beautiful scenery and stay out of harm’s way.