Full Answer Section

Demographics:

• Who are the people in this community?
  • Age: [Observe and describe the general age range of residents. Are there many young families, retirees, or a mix?]
  • Ethnicity: [Observe and describe the racial and ethnic makeup of the community.]
  • Family types: [Observe the types of families you see. Are there many single-parent households, extended families, or couples without children?]

Transportation:

• How do people travel and get around?
  • Cars: [Is traffic heavy? Are there many cars parked on the street?]
  • Public transportation: [Are there buses, trains, or subways readily available? How frequently do they run?]
  • Biking/walking: [Are there designated bike lanes or sidewalks? Do you see many people walking or biking?]
  • Accessibility: [Are there sidewalks or ramps readily available for people with disabilities?]

Businesses and Employment:

• What sorts of businesses are there?
  • Retail stores: [Are there national chains or local shops? What types of stores are most prevalent?]
  • Restaurants: [What types of restaurants are available? Fast food, sit-down, ethnic cuisine?]
  • Offices/employment centers: [Are there many office buildings or industrial areas? What industries are represented?]

Access to Goods and Services:

• Where do people shop?
  • Grocery stores: [Are there large supermarkets or smaller convenience stores? What is the quality and variety of produce available?]
  • Farmers markets: [Are there farmers markets available that offer fresh produce?]

Community Resources:

• What services are available for children and families?
  • Schools: [Are there schools within the community? How well-maintained do they appear?]
  • Childcare facilities: [Are there daycare centers or preschools available?]
  • Parks and recreation centers: [Are there parks or community centers offering programs for children?]
  • Libraries: [Is there a library branch within the community?]
  • Places of worship: [Are there churches, mosques, synagogues, or other religious institutions?]

Housing:

• What types of housing are available?
  • Single-family homes: [Are most homes detached or single-family dwellings?]
  • Apartment buildings: [Are there apartment buildings or condos?]
  • General condition: [How well-maintained are the homes and buildings? Are there signs of disrepair?]

Healthcare:

• What healthcare resources are available?
  • Hospitals: [Are there hospitals located within the community?]
  • Clinics: [Are there urgent care or walk-in clinics available?]
  • Doctor’s offices: [Are there specialists or general practitioners located nearby?]

Recreation and Exercise:

• What opportunities are there for physical activity?
  • Parks: [Are there parks or green spaces available for recreation?]
  • Playgrounds: [Are there playgrounds for children?]
  • Walking/biking trails: [Are there designated trails for walking, running, or biking?]
  • Fitness centers: [Are there gyms or fitness centers in the community?]

Community Assets and Health

• What are the strengths of this community? (e.g., Strong sense of community, access to educational resources, availability of healthy food options)
• What factors may impact the overall health of the community? (e.g., Limited access to healthcare, lack of green space, high traffic volume)

Additional Notes:

[Use this space to record any other observations you made during your windshield survey.]