So, I was really curious about my own walk score. My Bloominton Address is on the corner of 17th st and N. Walnut.
My walk score is 66/100 which is "somewhat walkable"
Compared to my parent's house in Grand River OH (were the town doesn't even have a gas station):
The walk score was 29/100 which is "car-dependent"
When I was telling everyone that I was moving to Bloomington, the general reply was "you're going to love it." Having never been here, when people would say that I visualized a tight nit community with lots to do in town and generally very "walkable." I'm happy to see that this is that case.
Compared to my parents house where the kids don't have a park and play in the middle of the street, people walk their dogs in the middle of the street. The only things to do in town are to go to one of the three restaurants. It was kind of difficult finding things to do in town growing up and kids are often getting in trouble for playing on the post office lawn and killing all the grass (true story). It would be nice to see the Grand River try a little harder to make a more friendly environment for especially the kids.
I'm going to use this blog to answer the weeks question "What community policy would you change in Bloomington or in your hometown? What policy instrument(s) would you use? Why?"
ReplyDeleteI think that one sustainablity issue in my home town revolves around the community or lack there of. The first step towards sustainability in my community would be a move towards connecting the community through side walks. This would encourage people to be outside more and take further interest in the community. The policy instrument needed to accomplish this is 'expenditure.' public money would be needed to hire a contractor and invest in the creation of sidewalks.
Once this is accomplished, I feel that implementing voluntary instruments would be easier because I feel that people would be more motivated.
See the new Marion County sidewalk ordinance. Health, safety and walkability were among the drivers.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.poweredbymw.com/enews/bmc/realestate/aug08/story4.html