Shawn
719-264-7777
Whats Your Walk Score?
Is this even relevant in Colorado Springs?
Maybe, maybe not. First of all, I should fill you in on what exactly the Walk Score is. Many people now want to live in a neighborhood where autos are an option. Great idea, especially as gas prices stay in the higher range. If you visit this new site, you can type in your address to see how walkable your area is. The site gives a list of nearby amenities such as schools, grocery stores, coffee shops etc. and how far the walk will be from your home.
I typed in my address here in Flying Horse Ranch. The score was so crazy low that I had to laugh! Of course I knew that my area was certainly not walkable. You can walk to the Discovery Canyon School but strangely enough the kids who go there take a bus. I drive by in the mornings and see them waiting for the bus. I guess it is too much to ask kids to walk across the street to the school. No walkability going on here!
I love the idea of the walk score, especially in larger urban areas. If you are moving to Denver, the walk score is a wonderful tool to have. If you want to live in Colorado Springs, forget about it! Most neighborhoods in Colorado Springs are not designed for walkability. This is unfortunate. Our weather is great and there is no reason not to be able to walk to things like a coffee shop or school.
Pass or Fail
The new concept of the Walk Score will hopefully inspire developers to design new housing areas with more walkable features. The site said that 99% of Colorado Springs had a better walk score that I did. Somehow I now feel like a failure. It’s not my fault. I would love to have someplace to walk to! Plan it for me please. Build a little shopping village in my neighborhood. I would like an excuse to leave my desk during the day to walk to the coffee shop or to the post office. I spend endless hours in my car showing homes or driving kids to activities. Any break I can get would be much appreciated.
Tell me what you think. Is your walk score high or low? Do you care? Is it even relevant in our auto oriented city? I think not so much.
Leave a comment or contact me. I would love to hear your thoughts.