SouthField: Walk this Way

An influential German philosopher once said, “all truly great thoughts come from walking.” Frederich Nietzsche hit the nail squarely on the head in terms of the simplest form of exercise.

Walking is an activity with benefits and it gives you the time to think about them. As SouthField became a reality, one of the key elements of this master-planned community is the pace of life and making sure a pedestrian-friendly vibe is at forefront of our slice of the South Shore.

Being able to walk to the community facilities from your own home is one of the great joys of life; it lets you enhance your personal health without feeling rushed. That’s what we want to achieve at SouthField, for residents to meander at their own pace while the rest of the world rushes by.

A recent study by the Brookings Institution has shown that economic and personal well-being can be directly attributed to how “walkable” your community is. Being able to walk in urban space has become a coveted asset, as has the opportunity to cycle around a neighborhood. 

This town was made for walking; you don’t need to take giant steps to get where you need to be — whether it’s your next door neighbor or the SouthField Links golf course, you’re only a short walk away.

As part of our commitment to Transit Oriented Design, the on-site MBTA commuter rail is easily walkable from the residences in SouthField Highlands and the village green that will be at the heart of the community is no more than a ten-minute stroll from any of the neighborhoods. Residents will be able to walk to Main Street to eat, drink and be merry!

According to the Brookings study, “biking and walking are part of a ‘complete streets’ strategy that public rights of ways should be for all of society – not just cars.” Walking is a civilized (and convenient) way to get to where you want to be; it’s the healthy alternative to getting behind the wheel.

There are financial advantages to taking a walk — you aren’t paying for gas when you walk to the on-site MBTA station and take the commuter train to work, and there’s less wear and tear on your car.   Obviously, we are not looking to ban cars in SouthField but a pedestrian pace doesn’t mean that you have come to a complete stop. Walking can get the blood flowing and the heart pumping, it gives you the time to think and the chance to enjoy your surroundings. 

At SouthField, you don’t have to take a walk on the wild side. The community has been designed to make the most of the natural surroundings and to provide the opportunity for residents to walk as much (or as little) as they want. There is a time and a place for walking; everywhere is within walking distance…if you have the time.

Tagged as: physical wellness, sidewalk strolling, South Shore, South Shore Commuter Rail, SouthField, SouthField Highlands, sustainable living, walking and thinking, walking community