Reflection on Walk #42: On a cool Saturday morning, May 9, 2015, at 8 a.m., three Fresno Mindfulness Walkers met at Yokomi elementary, in downtown Fresno, where neighborhoods blend with public schools, which blend with offices and retail. Yokomi was fenced and locked this morning. But the campus was newly built, modern and well-kept. This mint-condition school was in stark contrast to the struggling homes and aging buildings and public spaces begging for upgrades.On this 4.2 mile round-trip walk, we saw 6 Fresno Unified schools: 5 elementary schools and 1 middle school. From west to east: Yokomi, Jefferson, Rowell, Tehipite (middle), Hidalgo, and Leavensworth. Walkers were surprised at the concentration of schools on either side of Belmont Avenue in this few-miles stretch. The front yards showed signs of kids – with play equipment, balls, scooters, plastic toys. We saw 6 yard sales, which had baby and children’s items for sale. We heard children’s voices coming from inside homes, and we saw kids emerging from front porches and already playing in the streets.Walkers commented on the good condition of these schools. The schools seemed new or newly remodeled. Yokomi was new. Jefferson and Rowell had recent upgrades and new buildings. You could tell the old from the newly added buildings. Hidalgo and Leavensworth were newly built. The floor plans were different from the older open-plan schools. These new schools had locked gates/walls with interior courtyards, with plants and openings to the sky. The front doors/gates to the school were heavily barred with solid metal doors and locks.The schools were the nicest things in these neighborhoods — much better condition than 90% of the homes and streets. Walkers talked about wanting world-class education and facilities for all American children regardless of their economic circumstances.With the sprawling green lawns and playgrounds in all these schools, it seemed a natural fit to have these schools open on weekends. Walkers talked about what it would take to make these spaces open – maintenance, supervision, insurance.When walking the neighborhoods that surround these schools, walkers saw living conditions that impact the daily experiences of these residents. An overwhelmingly common theme in these neighborhoods is chain-linked fences and security dogs. Almost every house is surrounded by a fence, even in the front yard, with a gate that locks. Most houses have dogs, large barking dogs, in the front yard. These dogs are primarily for security, as compared to other neighborhoods with dogs for pets. The cars are also locked inside the gates that go across the driveways.There were neglected homes, and a dozen or more boarded up houses. Yards were brown and unattended. Many cars in disrepair. Walkers saw a number of newly remodeled rental houses, and some plywood that had been painted. We saw houses with boards on the side windows. Andy Levine explained the new city ordinance asking landlords to ‘unblight’ their homes. We saw small signs of these improvements.Walkers were surprised at the catwalk (overpass) for Hwy 41. This overpass connected neighborhoods. Jefferson Elementary is on one side of Hwy 41, and there were signs of Jefferson Elementary school students (car bumper stickers) on the other.Sights: front yard seating – many homes have furniture on front porches or table and chairs in the front yard – picnic tables, or plastic chairs, and signs of front yard socializingSmells: tires, cooking, browning tortillas, trash, dog poop, dryer sheets, cigarettesSounds – chickens, roosters, Mexican music, children inside, loud motorcycle, dogs barking, birds, trees and birds, construction, guys on roof, homeless man talking to himself, helicopter from Community HospitalFeelings: Struggle. Walkers felt safe, except for the dogs. Walking along Belmont, Walkers talked about some “grunginess.” The variety of storefronts along Belmont was a surprise for walkers who usually just drive by and do not see a
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