* 90–100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
* 70–89 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
* 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
* 25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
* 0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!
Now of course not all of the categories are relevant to everyone, and it is easy to question some of the information, and it doesn't take into account where you work, but it does create a decent baseline survey of an address and its "walkability". If you are house hunting, this could be a very valuable tool if you want to reduce your dependence on $4+ per gallon gasoline.
My house on N. Main St. for example scored a 48, "Car Dependent". While we are only 3 or 4 blocks from several grocery stores, bars, restaurants, a school, drug store and coffee shop, we were hurt by greater distances to parks, movie theaters, libraries, book stores, and retail shopping. In truth, we are pretty car dependent, although we made it 8 days last year without a car thanks to bikes with buggies and a dead battery.
How do our Oshkosh Common Councilors residences score for "walkability"?
Tony Palmeri
212 W. Parkway Avenue
91 of 100 - A "Walker's Paradise", Tony practically lives downtown. Now if only his neighborhood were just a wee bit nicer...
Mayor Frank Tower
1369 W. South Park Avenue
60 of 100 - Not bad! That's assuming anyone would walk on Koeller I guess!
Dennis McHugh
1220 Greenfield Trail
60 of 100 - Wow! Westhaven is more walkable than I thought!
Bryan Bain
1121 Rugby Street
45 of 100 - South side needs more retail! And a library!
Paul Esslinger
2350 High Oak Drive
42 of 100 - you know you are in trouble when the closest restaurant is Friar Tucks...
Jessica King
1523 Hazel St
32 of 100 - yikes! Across from a school but warm up the car for anything else!
Burk Tower
933 Starboard Court
20 of 100 - You can't get much further away from anything. The closest school is almost a mile away and is slated to be closed down. Waah.
How walkable is your neighborhood?
2 comments:
I'm at 66 out of 100. Plus I'm going to add 10 on for walking to work 90% of the time.
The concept of walkable communities seems to make obvious sense, but I assure you that the new city manager, and any city staff with authority, don't care. Further, this idea will not be embraced in the next 20 years by staff unless a council mandates it.
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