On Thursday morning, June 4, at 8 a.m., six Fresno Mindfulness Walkers started at the CVS downtown Fresno, and walked north through the mural district, across Divisadero, through older Fresno neighborhoods, under Hwy 180, along the canal, to Belmont. This was a beautiful morning, the perfect temperature for walking. Two walkers were from the Fresno Bee and held a note pad and large cameras. FMWalkers talked about how having these two along might influence how people talk to us. However, during this walk, FMWalkers experienced that everyone we met was friendly and engaging and willing to talk to us. FMWalkers talked about childhood memories of these neighborhoods—either living there or going with their parents for Saturday fun or shopping. One Walker told us how her mother was part of the original committee to build Fulton Mall. Words used to describe this walk: flux, heartbreaking, unafraid and friendly, contrasts, and the close proximity of wealth and poverty. Fresno natives talked about how the Hwy 180 cutting through these neighborhoods changed things and described it breaking apart previously strong neighborhood ties. Smells: cigarettes, pot, varnish from a furniture warehouse on H street, urine, trash, jasmine, greenery. Sounds: birds, traffic, train, water fountains, canal water flowing, breezes through the vines, people’s voices, dogs barking. We did not hear roosters or chickens, which we often hear on walks. The Mural District is full of new, modern lofts and colorful urban living spaces. Walkers talked to the Granville Leasing office and learned that the units are filled, and there is a waiting list. Prices range from $550 to $1800 per month. FMWalkers noticed the contrasts and close proximity of modern living spaces to older and somewhat neglected houses. Within a block, or even from property to property, signs of revitalization were mixed with less cared for housing. Crossing Divisadero was a big change from the Mural District environment to older residential neighborhoods that included boarded up properties, front yard chained linked fences, large trash items, and overgrown yards and alleys. We saw older model cars and dismantled cars parked on lawns. One pleasant surprise was meeting Martin, a man going through a dumpster and pulling out bottles and plastics to recycle. Within a brief conversation with Martin, he told us he was collecting recycle items for his grandchildren’s school, Lowell Elementary. Martin works at the casino, and it was his day off. He wants to help however he can. We talked about how everyone has a story, and we would have not known Martin’s story—or might have assumed something else—had we not stopped to chat. Walkers enjoyed looking at the full canal between Broadway and Fulton just before Belmont. There was lush overgrowth on both sides. What is mostly a dry, hot, and neglected street is broken up with the lush coolness from the full canal. FMWalkers talked about how these neighborhoods have a mix of long-time residents, renters, short-term renters, and new residents closer to downtown. This mix, while complicated at first glance, adds interest and diversity that is valued by many, including the youngest FMWalker. FMWalkers noticed living areas either in backyards, tents, RVs, or even a micro house on the property of a full-sized house. One FMWalker talked about her job in downtown Fresno, and her patients often tell her that their address is “behind” another house. She has now seen these circumstances for herself. The FMWalker said “it’s one thing to hear about something. It’s another thing to see it for yourself.” FMWalkers noticed small efforts, even on a broken down porch, or next to a dirty RV, of people making an effort. A mop leaning up against a porch, a potted plant, chimes, or religious symbol. FMWalkers described how people want to make order, they exert effort even in difficult circumstances. Walkers did not see abandoned shopping carts, which are very common o
Facebook photo album: https://www.facebook.com/pg/fresnomindfulnesswalks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1620822271537854
Fresno Bee article by Carmen George: http://www.fresnobee.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/carmen-george/article24464092.html
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