Philly's the 15th most-walkable city ... but watch your step
The American Podiatric Medical Association and Prevention magazine have just listed Philadelphia as the nation's 15th most- walkable city.
NOTE: THIS STORY HAS BEEN CORRECTED.
The American Podiatric Medical Association and Prevention magazine have just listed Philadelphia as the nation's 15th most- walkable city.
But don't tell that to Marcus Gustafsson.
In June 2004, he fell into an open manhole at 19th and Walnut streets. Minutes earlier, his lawyer says, a homeless man had pried off the manhole cover.
Gustafsson, now 30, recently won a multimillion-dollar lawsuit after he broke his back in the fall and, despite three subsequent operations, hasn't been able to finish medical school at the University of Pennsylvania.
This year's ranking is a big step up for Philly, which ranked 87th last year. According to Michele Stanten, Prevention's fitness director, a panel of experts gave Philly positive reviews for its traffic patterns and sidewalk conditions.
But sidewalk conditions contributed to Gustafsson's accident. Although he can walk, he can't sit or stand for long periods of time, making it difficult to complete clinical rotations for med school, said his attorney, Matthew Casey, of the Center City firm Ross Feller Casey.
Casey represented Gustafsson in a lawsuit against Trigen-Philadelphia Energy Corp., which operates about 475 steam rooms beneath Philadelphia streets.
Last month, a jury awarded Gustafsson $85 million, of which he will recover $22.9 million. And the award cannot be appealed, Casey said.
According to trial evidence, Trigen had been aware that people were removing manhole covers but had only welded some of them closed.
The designation of this year's most-walkable city goes to Cambridge, Mass. Rounding out the top five: New York City; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Chicago; and Washington, D.C.
Folks who didn't fall into manholes yesterday agreed with Philly's high ranking.
"It's a very walkable city," said Dorothy Kogan, a speech therapist who lives in Fitler Square. "We moved from the suburbs to the city to be able to walk."
In fact, Philly's so walkable for John Dillard, a resident of the Bella Vista section of South Philadelphia, that he decided not to replace his car when it was stolen.
"I realized I didn't need it," said Dillard, who usually walks the 5 miles to and from his Center City marketing job. "I drive maybe once a month."
For Darren Banks, the key to Philly's walkability is its grid pattern. "Streets are clearly marked," said the National Park Service ranger, who lives near Graduate Hospital. "The layout's easy to figure out."
But Tazz Floyd, a record-label owner, hasn't walked in parts of West Philly since he was robbed last year. "I don't really go back there," he said. "If you're not from there, you don't feel safe."
Tre Eight agreed, adding that having more cops on the street would make him feel safer.
Although Dorothy Kligerman travels by foot every day, she believes that many streets are in deplorable condition.
"Crossing them is difficult for someone like me," said Kligerman, who uses a walker.
The study also listed the nation's worst walking cities. The worst: Oklahoma City.
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