Blog 7: Neighbourhood food assessment

SLOTH SQUAD: Weinland Park

Weinland Park is a neighborhood just north of downtown Columbus, which borders the University District. About 15 years ago this area was riddled with crime, mostly arson. The community got together and used some of the spaces from burned down houses to create community gardens like those pictured. Since then, Weinland Park has become an oasis of beautifying gardens, with the intention of bringing the community together and educating families on organic farming and farm-to-table practices. Educating youth on healthy nutrition is important, as is hands-on work, which creates a welcoming environment for the families of Weinland Park and gives kids that go to Weinland Park Elementary School (shown in map below) a safe and fun place to gain new experiences.

The environment around Weinland Park is insufficient when it comes to lighting, as there are only street lights at major intersections or corners. The traffic on 4th Street is commonly backed up during rush hour, a fact which impacts the ability of Weinland Park residents to go the the local Kroger in those hours. Seeing as many people tend to go the the grocery store after work, this blog7.1certainly causes a lot of delays, especially because most people drive or use the bus to get to the store. People might be persuaded to ride their bike to the grocery store if there were a bike lane along 6th Avenue. With little lighting, no bike lane on 6th Ave, and a major street with lots of traffic, safety can be a concern in terms of both getting food, and traveling in general.

blog7.2This area struggled with food scarcity before the aforementioned Kroger was built in 2011. Weinland Park is food secure today, but before 2011 it would have been considered to have food insecure, because the only food available within walking distance was community gardens. The neighborhood gardens include Godman Guild Association Community Garden, 4th Street Farms, Arawak Gardens, Community Garden at Indianola and Euclid and more, which are not entirely sufficient for feeding the whole neighborhood . The addition of the Kroger eliminated any possible food swamps in the area. Despite the physical presence of the Kroger store, the surroundings make it difficult to access. There is a need to update the infrastructure in the area, including sidewalks and crosswalks which would allow better routes to the many community gardens and the Kroger. There have been scattered areas of construction throughout the neighborhood as well as big renovations along 11th, images below. With many COTA buses around this area, the construction is cumbersome for the time-being, but once it is completed, the residents of the area will be able to enjoy a useful and aesthetically pleasing neighborhood.

To improve the foodways of Weinland Park, the local planners and government should give more lighting to the area, so pedestrians feel safe enough to walk to the gardens. Also, it would be helpful to construct another grocery store to compete for customers in that area. Hopefully that would drive food prices down and cut down on travel time for all residents of the neighborhood. There are a few empty storefronts which could provide the basis for this new store without the need to build an entirely new structure. Economically, it often makes more sense to work with the dwellings that already exist in terms of improving the area, because it generally expedites the process of opening, and lowers the cost of building materials. The area is moving in the right direction, but it could always progress more. Mostly, the neighborhood needs to continue on the path that it is on now in order to provide the best lives for its residents.

blog7.3

 


 

The Lucky 7

 

The neighborhood we are focusing on is Grandview. Recently, Grandview has installed a new bridge, new crosswalks, new traffic and street lights. There is a police station about 5 minutes away so the neighborhood feeling is quite secure. Residents of Grandview only have easy access to one, possibly two grocery stores to purchase healthy. There are many restaurants in Grandview including sit down restaurants and fast food. There isn’t a scarcity of food but feasibility to get to a market for fresh food is not very high. The area would in that case be considered ‘food insecure’ due to the lack of grocery stores and accessibility to fresh, healthy foods as opposed to the abundance of fast-food chains in the area. Grandview would be considered a food swamp because there are a few concentrated areas of a variety of fast-food chains but other than that there is not a lot of markets for fresh food or this is just not food available. A big way to improve this neighborhood is to establish a local grocery store with fresh food for residents. This is a good way to not only create a better and easier way for residents to consume healthier foods but it will also boost the local economy. Grandview could also create an area to construct a community garden to provide the residents with fresh foods and improve the sense of community.Screen Shot 2016-04-14 at 2.56.53 PM


 

Comb Over Inc.

The food environment of Franklinton is spread across the gridded layout of the City with a few main intersecting roads. While the city has sidewalks, they are in severe need of re-pavement to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs, etc. There are streetlights that hang across wires and crosswalks at common intersections. Food locations are very sprawled; many fast food places are concentrated in one area while small marts and food pantries are scattered on different roads. Given the economic status and crime rates of Franklinton compared to other areas in Columbus, the area does not appear to be “safe” for residents using alternative modes of transit (walking, biking) to go buy their food–despite the sidewalks and bike lanes. Many of the food locations are also not central to the City, so Franklinton does not seem to have a very pedestrian-oriented food environment.

Franklinton Food

The area within routes 70, 315, 62, and S central avenue, there are few markets, which seem to be more like something you would see at a gas station. There is one restaurant along 62 and a lot of fast food options just on the other side of S Central Avenue near an exit of 315. The nearest Kroger is on the other side of the river and there is an Aldi south of 70. Therefore, being a bit of a distance and on the other side of the river or highway, one would need a mode of transportation. Cota lines do circle through the area to provide public transportation for residents, but this is not the easiest way to make a grocery trip. Due to the distance, individual transportation would make shopping much easier. The area seems to be mainly residential and does support a hospital to the east. It is surprising that an area with so many residences doesn’t supply a grocery store nearby or restaurants or even hotels around the hospital for visitors. There are a few bars along the southern edge as well. Being nearly neighbors to downtown, amenities are close by. For now, it does not host the best food source for the individuals of the community.

kjsfhs

Within this area there are no large grocery stores so most residents would consider the area food insecure. Though there are multiple ‘markets’ scattered throughout the area, many of these are more focused on alcohol and processed foods than fresh produce. The closest large grocery story is not even in the area and is too far for many of the people in this area to reach walking. Right off I-70, on Broad Street there is a large cluster of fast food places which provides many of the only food sources in this area.

The neighborhood of Franklinton is a food desert due to the lack of fresh food.  The area has access to a few small, run-down “markets,” which are basically corner stores, not a produce market.  There are many small restaurants and an abundance of fast-food restaurants near the exit of I-70.  These are not healthy, fresh options for food.

Despite the current lack of healthy food in the area, if everyone works together solutions can be implemented. Some of which include:

-The lack of a grocery store is a main problem of the area. The people should petition that planners put this in their plans for the area. The addition of a grocery store would be beneficial for the future of the area, and encourage more people to move there.

-The addition of more community gardens will both increase healthy food access and bring the community together. The Franklinton Garden is an organization that oversees multiple community gardens in the area. But you can never have too many, and even more can continue to spread throughout the region to reach even more people.

-Community organizations, such as Franklinton Gardens, should improve education on self-gardening. Most people in the area have backyard space that could be utilized, but just don’t know how to use it. People could learn how to plant, upkeep, and store healthy foods.

-Improvements should be made to the visual quality of produce markets. This would encourage people to go there, unlike the current situation of most looking unwelcoming and scary.

-It would be an interesting idea to turn abandoned buildings into public kitchens or farmers market warehouses that store and supply meals for Franklinton residents.

-Community organizations should also work to raise awareness of the situation. If people see that others feel and think the same as they do, they will be more likely to team up and work towards a common goal, in this case of increasing food accessibility.

Once people are aware of the situation, they need to understand how to get involved in the process. Residents can get involved by attending community meetings, and putting their voice out there.


 

Collegiate Rebel Penguins

 

Blog 7

When looking for a residential area suitable for a family, there are two things that everyone seems to focus on: safety and amenities. Amenities such as schools, libraries, recreation, and most importantly, food. We conducted our research on food services in the Clintonville area, specifically along their farmers’ market, which is provided to locals every Saturday from 9am-12pm during crop seasons. We as team took an in-depth look at surrounding services that either contradicted or coincided with the market’s identity.

farmersmarket

Farmer’s Market

One block north of the farmers’ market is W. Dunedin Drive. Here, we took a stroll and observed that this residential area has no pedestrian sidewalks, companioned by only four street lamps.  The lighting in some areas was only on one side of the residential streets, and most of the lamp style lighting was only approximately 8 feet tall. 20160419_125322

In certain areas the lamp style lights were completely covered by the tree canopies, which vastly will reduce the effectiveness of the lit up area.  Walking out from this neighborhood onto High Street we saw three fast food services: Wendy’s, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut.  20160419_125611

We also noticed that there is no crosswalk to get to the farmer’s market from the east side of High Street until about two blocks further down the road. The farmers’ market consists of tents that are set up in front of local shops such as the Global Gallery Coffee Shop, located adjacent to High Street. There is a 25-foot setback from the tents to the street, which is a safe buffer for customers, yet still an ear sore due to 20160419_125620the noisiness of the traffic. Three blocks further south is a Kroger’s with its own large produce section. We were surprised by the above average quality of the food, especially accompanied by its average pricing. We decided to speak to a representative about the freshness of the food, and they explained how the produce 20160419_131213section used to be only two aisles long, but about one year ago they opened up the area to provide more options along with a more appealing look. This gives the community a nice option to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables when the farmers’ market is not available. Bus services are available up and down High Street to access the farmers’ market, the Kroger’s, and the surrounding businesses that offer food. The lack of crosswalks is a concerning safety issue for the area especially across a busy street like High Street.

Due to the Kroger’s being within walking distance and access to bus services, the area researched does not appear to be a food insecure area. Like described earlier in this blog, it would appear to be a food swamp, because the fast food establishments are so concentrated in such a localized area. However, with more research in the neighborhood, finding the Kroger’s close by, the area has its advantage of healthy choices of food. In addition to walking to the large grocery store, we spotted a new establishment, Pocket Produce, not open yet, though it promotes healthier food choices. With this stated, I would argue it is not fully a “food swamp” nor “food desert”. The area is transitioning out of the food swamp status, and more in-tune to the healthier aspects of food security.

To improve any foodways for the neighborhood studied, crosswalks, sidewalks, and more effective  lighting should be inserted into 20160419_132919the area where they lack it most. A collaboration of planners, residents, businesses, and the local municipality need to get together to determine where these items are lacking, so that they may improve their access to healthier foods. Which, in turn, will improve their quality of life.

 

 

 

Plan B Solutions:

The area we studied was the North Campus neighborhood, highlighted on the map below.

Screenshot (20)

Food Access Map of North Campus

The North Campus neighborhood is a relatively nice one. It’s streets have fairly standard sidewalks but the streetlights are spaced very far apart, so the area is dark at night. This could provide issues for those that have difficulty shopping for groceries during the day. Traffic within the neighborhood is mostly light due to one-way streets and it’s residential nature. However, it does contain N. High Street, Neil Avenue, and W. Lane Avenue which have heavier traffic. Residents of the North Campus neighborhood either have to travel by car, or catch a bus if they wish to travel a long distance. There are no other transportation options available.

Tommy’s Pizza

Screenshot (23)

Sidewalk in North Campus

Screenshot (27)

Street in North Campus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North Campus neighborhood is food insecure and a food swamp for those without cars. This means that there are food options in the area that are accessible without a car, but few of them are quality or nutritious. There are no grocery stores in the neighborhood. The closest grocery store is a Giant Eagle on N. High Street. For those with cars, this is a simple four minute drive. For those without cars, it is either an nineteen minute walk or a ten minute bus ride, with a wait which can vary in length depending on demand and traffic at that time. Other than this Giant Eagle, there are no food options in the area besides restaurants. Few of these offer healthy options, and no restaurant can provide someone with a well-balanced diet. Grocery stores are needed for that.

Time to Giant Eagle: Driving (4 min)

 

Time to Giant Eagle: Bus (10 min)

 

Time to Giant Eagle: Walking (19 min)

Since the majority of the food options in this area do not offer healthy alternatives, there is need of a grocery store in the area. The nearest grocery store is too far for those that do not have a vehicle to get there and we would not want a similar problem with the new store. With this in mind, the optimal location for the store would be to locate it at the intersection between Neil Avenue and W. Norwich Avenue. In this location, the store would be within five minutes of everyone in the area and would be accessible from the street with the storefront being located on Neil Avenue. The store would ideally be able to provide the area’s residents with all of the food they would require to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Planners, the community, and local government would have to work together in order to make this a reality. 



THE USHERS

Neighbourhood: Dennison Place

The neighbourhood had quite a few historical homes, so some quality of sidewalks was patchy. Some areas especially nearer to High St. were definitely not wheelchair- or bike-friendly. As we got further into the neighbourhood, however, quality of sidewalks and general maintenance greatly improved. For example, there were several visible attempts to improve accessibility by removing overgrown or fallen trees bordering the sidewalks. Landscaping on the roundabout centers was very well-kept, which added to the feeling of safety in the neighbourhood, and made walking around the area very pleasant. There were also signs for a neighbourhood block watch for added safety.
For transportation, the neighbourhood appeared to be mostly wealthier homes that owned cars.

One of the four roundabouts in the neighbourhood.

One of the four roundabouts in the neighbourhood.

Traffic was light at the time we visited (mid-day during a weekday), but seemed to generally be well guided by the roundabouts.
Crosswalks were not clearly marked, which could pose potential danger.

 

A bus stop on Neil, and a local church that offers free bread and bagels on fridays!

A bus stop on Neil, and a local church that offers free bread and bagels on fridays!

Within the 3-5 blocks we walked, there were no immediate grocery stores, however the area was bordered by quite a few options: a Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Target were relatively equidistant from the neighborhood, easily accessible by car within 5 minutes, or 15-20 minutes by walking. There were several bus stops on Neil Ave. that could also provide access to the grocery stores.

 

Image

Kroger: Car

 

Image

Kroger: Walking

 

Image

Target: Car

 

Image

Target: Bus (COTA 5 and 82) & Walking

 

Image

Giant Eagle: Car

 

Image

Giant Eagle: Bus (COTA 7 & 18)

Image

Giant eagle: walking

 

In terms of food security, this area would fall closer to the food secure end of the spectrum. Compared to other similar residential areas in Columbus, this neighbourhood was centered with multiple options for grocery stores. They were all within reasonable waking distance if needed, but it appeared the vast majority of residents owned car

We class this neighbourhood as neither a food swamp nor a food desert, because there was quite a good proportion of fast food options balanced with healthy food sources at larger grocery stores. Both options were of equal accessibility from the neighbourhood (although none actually within the area we walked). 

To improve the foodways of the neighbourhood, we suggest community gardens in one of the roundabouts, or on the empty lot on the corner of Pennsylvania and 6th. Very few (only one that we could notice) homes had backyard gardens to grow food, possibly because of upkeep and the size of the yards. For those without (and with!) cars, having access to healthy foods would be greatly improved by having a community garden, and would encourage community interactions, which we noticed were prioritized already by the neighbourhood’s book-share program and the design of the roundabouts. 


The City Seekers

Clintonville

We decided to focus our attention on the the Kroger grocery store in Clintonville, and the surrounding neighborhoods. It is located at 3417 N. High St., which is on the northwest corner of the intersection between N. High St. and N. Broadway. This Kroger grocery store is an essential asset to the surrounding community of Clintonville because it provides healthier foods and resources than the fast food restaurants in close proximity. Located in a residential area, the Kroger is accessible and open to the surrounding neighborhood through a variety of modes of transportation. Sidewalks line the roads, offering a sense of walk-ability. A bus stop exist right outside of the Kroger, offering commuters from all areas access to the food supplier. Additionally, a large parking lot supplies private commuters with the opportunity to use the grocery store. Through this variety of transportation methods, this specific Kroger in Clintonville has expanded the surrounding community to reach a far greater number of residents. However, traffic can be an issue for those using vehicles to access the store. The crossroad of N. High and N. Broadway brings a large amount of traffic into the residential neighborhood that otherwise contains a very negligible amount of traffic. This area is also relatively safe. Although some of the surrounding area are not the safest, this specific area of Clintonville has been developed and improving over the years. It is a neighborhood that contains a combination of young and old residents, and is continuing to grow and draw in more businesses and people.

krogerlocation

Families in the area have a few different options to access healthy food. The places they can go to get food with high nutritious value would be Kroger, a seasonal farmers market, and a whole foods bakery and restaurant located further down High Street. The Kroger has an array of health foods available through organic and healthy alternatives, in addition to the fruit and vegetable section. The Whole World Natural Bakery & Restaurant, which serves healthy foods and carries vegetarian friendly options, is located at 3269 N. High St. The local farmers market runs during most of the year (mid-spring through mid-fall). It is held weekly, and is fairly popular and accessible to residents in the neighborhood. Aside from these three options, the remaining food sources are all fast food of some kind.

healthyrestaurant clintonvillefarmersmarket

Residents would consider this area to be food insecure. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and  nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle. In the case of this specific Kroger, the next closest grocery store is approximately 1.6 miles away. The next closest after that would be approximately 2.7 miles. Not all residents may have cars or access to transportation, causing them to have to walk to get their groceries. Asking a person to walk anywhere from half a mile to two miles in order to reach a grocery store is unreasonable, especially in cases which the residents may be elderly, or parents who have to buy enough food to feed their entire family. This limits physical access to food. Additionally, if a resident is forced to walk more than half a mile to the grocery store, they are more likely to get food that is light, easy to carry, and will not need to be immediately refrigerated, which is typically food that has little to no nutritious value. This is limiting people’s access to healthy food in order to maintain a balanced diet. In order to make the area more food secure, more large grocery stores could be put in place giving all residents access, or grocery delivery services could be implemented in order to have healthy food delivered to those who otherwise would not be able to obtain them.

IMG_1555

The neighborhoods surrounding the Kroger grocery store would fall into the category of a food swamp. The reason being is that even though Kroger offers healthy food options, Kroger also offers just as many, if not more, unhealthy food options. These unhealthy options tend to be cheaper than the healthier fruits and vegetables, making it more likely for the residents to purchase the unhealthy foods. On top of that the area surrounding the Kroger is home to multiple fast food restaurants. These restaurants offer unhealthy food which tends to be much more convenient to the residents than the healthy food options that Kroger offers. Since there is much more unhealthy food options, which are also much more convenient to the surrounding residents, this area is deemed to be a food swamp.

krogerinside
Clintonville is a very food-stable community, but some elements could be improved. One of those is a lack of east-west public transportation. There is a COTA line that runs along North Broadway, but other than that residents are forced to walk, bike, or drive. For residents that live closer to Indianola Avenue (on the far east side of the neighborhood) or on the north end of Clintonville, this could mean over a mile commute to food outlets. A bus line that runs along another major east to west street in the community would be beneficial. Another possible change could be moving the weekly farmers’ market to the Whetstone Park of Roses. This park has plenty of parking and land, along with scenic views and green space. This makes it an ideal place for a farmer’s market. It would not be right next to busy High Street which would be safer for pedestrians, and also more accessible considering the Olentangy Multipurpose Trail cuts right through the park. Another benefit to moving the market here would be providing better pedestrian access to fresh produce, meat, and cheese to those who live in the north end of the neighborhood, which are usually limited due to the concentration of food places on the south end of town.