My street as a child had two giant American Elms near the curb on seven of the eight houses. Their branches arched over the street and provided perfect shade in the summer.

We did a ton of activities and games on the smooth asphalt below that canopy. We added just one extra rule to each game, you had to yell "CAR!" when you saw one approaching.

Boy do I miss all of those elms! (And perhaps a bit of my youth as well.)