It is better for the plants growing around the post and rail fence (and for the fence itself, too) to be removed a bit from the street, as they are here: They're insulated from road salt (on Northern landscapes) and from stray vehicles. The sidewalk acts as a buffer between the plants (forsythia, in this case) and the road.
Notice a visual effect created by the fence as it parallels the sidewalk: the eye is unconsciously led down the length of the attractive post and rail fence, accentuating this impressive span of road frontage. Its length is accentuated while, at the same time, the fence and the plantings fill up the space, giving the eye a rest from what otherwise would be an open expanse of lawn.
In the next landscaping picture we'll look at another post and rail fence....