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Refkection, Walk 10, Yr 2, Wilson Elementary Ashlan & Hughes 12/5/15

October 17, 2016 By fmw

Reflection, Walk #10, Year 2, December 5, 2015, 8:30 a.m: On a cold clear morning, three mindfulness walkers met outside the fence of Wilson Elementary at Ashlan and Hughes. We had to park across the street in front of apartments since all the school parking spaces were gated and locked. Within a four mile walk, there were five Fresno Unified Schools: three elementary, one middle, and one continuation high school. Walkers strolled through smaller single-family homes, apartment complexes, along the canal, and the retail on Dakota and Ashlan.

Words used to describe this walk: Transitional –the time of year of change, the beautiful fall colors and crunch of leaves under our feet. Contrasts – the contrast of quiet residential neighborhoods in close proximity to the traffic and businesses on Ashlan and Dakota. Neighborhood schools – so many schools tucked right into Fresno neighborhoods.

Walkers talked about the fenced and locked school campuses. Five school campuses on this walk were locked. FMWalkers walk across open campuses whenever possible, but this morning, all were locked. At Roeding Elementary, three boys were inside on skateboards, and we later realized that they easily fit under the driveway gate. When the boys saw us trying to find a way in, they stopped riding their skateboards as if we were going to get them in trouble.

One FMWalker was here visiting from Texas. She said it seemed strange for all the schools to be locked up. She is used to seeing kids shoot hoops and play freely on sports fields and playgrounds after school and on weekends. She says, “school grounds are just part of the life of a neighborhood.” One FMWalker recently talked with a Fresno Unified school maintenance worker who said that if they leave the gates open, on Monday mornings, they find trash, graffiti, people sleeping in the school hallways, and unsanitary playground issues that have to be cleaned up before the kids use them. Recently, someone stole a newly installed drip watering system. So they make sure and lock the gates when leaving each evening–for legitimate reasons.

Walkers noted that on some Saturday mornings, there are a few school grounds that are supervised and open for Saturday Sports, and there are volunteers organizing sports and crafts with kids from 10 to 12 noon. Also, when sports leagues use the school grounds, gates are open.

Walkers agreed that these are very walkable areas – nice sidewalks with large trees which make it feel like a neighborhood. Sidewalks welcome you to go from place to place on foot. There were at least two parks, Wilson Park next to Wilson Elementary and Quigley Playground next to Williams Elementary. Wilson seemed only to be a fenced-in ponding basin. Quigley Playground had open green space with playground and amenities on the edge. Parks were fenced in with small openings to walk through. No parking except for street parking.

FMWalkers strolled along the canal, which was flowing with water! There was a small homeless encampment with tarps and personal belongings piled in shopping carts. A black wheelchair sat next to a tent opening. Walkers saw at least two people just waking up and coming out from tents and under tarps.

Across from Williams Elementary was a small strip mall that includes Dakota Market, a small store selling junk food, liquor, and smoking paraphernalia. Walkers introduced ourselves to the gentleman working behind the counter, but he did not return the introduction.

Next to Dakota Market is the Gillis Branch of the Fresno County Library. A few doors down was a used book sale with proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Fresno County Library. Walkers met Janice Romero-Nielsen, a volunteer for Friends of the Library. Janice explained that the book sale was primarily to put books into the hands of as many people as possible. They keep them cheap so everyone can own a book.

At Dakota and Hughes, FMWalkers strolled the property of Dakota EcoGarden. This is a private home and property that has been opened for people living on the streets. Walkers met Beverly who unlocked the gate and let us in. Walkers met a few residents, saw the garden, the newly installed outdoor shower, and toured inside the house with a shared kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and computer rooms. Walkers met Pat, age 77, who lived near the canal and in parks for 6 months before coming to EcoGarden 2 weeks ago. She feels safe here. With her small income, she hopes to be able to get a place on her own soon. Pat told Walkers she is educated and loves when people give her books. She looks forward to having a place where she can read and continue her own education.

These are our brothers and sisters in Fresno. All of our lives and futures are tied together.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized

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UPCOMING WALK: Saturday, January 29, 2022, 10 a.m.

Fresno Mindfulness Walks will lead a Saturday morning walk on January 29, 2022, beginning at 10 am. at 271 N. Glenn Ave., Fresno, CA 93701 (the home of Craig Scharton).  
 
The walk will be about 3 miles, at a stroll to medium pace, occasionally on uneven ground, and take about an hour and a half. By walking mindfully and without talking, we will experience the Lowell neighborhood in new ways. At the conclusion of the walk, we’ll gather back at Craig’s yard and spend a few minutes talking about what we discovered about ourselves and the neighborhood. 
Walks are free and require no RSVP. Look for the Facebook event to share with your friends. For email notifications, sign up in the yellow bar at the top.
Lori Clanton
Lucky Leader to Fresno Mindfulness Walks

How FMW works —

Fresno Mindfulness Walks are weekly opportunities for people to walk together for a 4 mile route through a different Fresno neighborhood each week. Walkers practice active mindfulness by attending to the sights, sounds, smells, feelings.  Walkers do not talk to each other on walks, but we do greet people we meet along the way.  The walk location and exact start time are posted just a few days in advance. All walks are free, require no RSVP, and anyone is welcome to join one walk or many. To learn about upcoming walks, you can sign up for a weekly email in the yellow bar at the top of this website and/or LIKE and follow the FMW Facebook page.

 

To learn about the routine that begins each walk and read some of the resources that have inspired FMW, check out the resources page.

 

Weekly walks are about 4 miles and take about an hour and a half. Walks are at a medium pace, often on uneven ground, and sometimes take longer than expected because walkers see themselves as curious travelers lingering to observe or going around a different way.

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