Yes, My Children Do WALK to School

This morning was what has become a typical routine in our household since the start of school:

Get dressed, make and eat breakfast, make lunches, pack backpacks and head out the door. The boys race down the street, feet pounding so hard our neighbors can hear them. Sometimes, they wait at the corner. Sometimes, they get so caught up in the race that they keep going all the way to the next street. Up a hill and at the top, they score. Two houses full of friends all going to the same school.

We gather up all the kids -- 7 in total with three adults -- and the pack walks, and runs, to school. Yes, we're teaching them to stop at crosswalks and wait for the pack to catch up. We're teaching them all to cross safely. Because eventually, if all continues to go well, this pack of kindergartners through third graders will walk to school together without us adults. That's the plan that two of us hatched a few months ago.

Yes, the New York Times declares that most parents drive their kids that 2 blocks to school, but here in Montgomery County (and I'm sure elsewhere), that's not necessarily the case. Yes, in rain or snow, it would be easier to drive. Yes, we all have places to be 10 minutes ago. But for the sake of our kids' gaining independence and a belief that they don't need us to do everything for them forever, this is SO worth it.

I've heard from lots of Takoma Park families involved in a school boundary change that walkability to their school is key. They, too, value that neighborhood bonding/walking time. So, to the rest of you: What Montgomery County neighborhoods are good for encouraging the walk?