I just wanted to provide another perspective...
It's been mentioned that the area is "scary" but that is all in the perception of the poster or the person there at the time. I think it really depends on who you are and to what you've been exposed. We hike in remote forest areas, to us they are not scary in the least. To me, gas stations are scary, big cities are scary, dark alleys are scary, there is much more crime in those areas and with so many people and so many unknowns it is harder to protect yourself and your family.
The other thing I wanted to mention is that I think it was ollipop (btw, you are awesome thanks for all the info you've provided) said he's lived there for 5ish years and didn't know maiden lane existed. While he might not have, that doesn't mean thousands of other people don't/didn't. Even people that aren't locals. My example, we moved to this area 8 months ago, I've found when I talk to people who have lived here all their lives they are very unaware of various roads, waterfalls, hiking trails, etc. My best example of this is I was with a friend and we went to someone's house that is about a mile from where I live. I related a story of how we had gone down that particular road all the way until it dropped out over the mountains into another town. She has lived here her entire life and had no idea that the road went all the way through, she had no idea where it came out.
I could go on and on relating experiences of how some people just don't know what exists in their immediate area. A lot of it has to do with lifestyle choices. We are very outdoorsy people, we go off roading, we hike, we explore, but there are many people who do not enjoy those things and are not aware of the existence of various roads, trails, etc.
Hope all of that made sense.