What's Your Neighborhood's Walk Score?

The Walk Score Web site allows users to rate the “walkability” of a specific place, on a scale from 1 to 100, by simply entering in a local address. According to its creators, the Walk Score Web site is being used by everyone from real estate agents to would-be business owners to determine just how walkable a particular community is.

Take a moment to plug in your home address and find out how your neighborhood fares.

Surprised by its score? Across Chicago, Walk Scores for different neighborhoods range from fabulous to dismal.

With gas prices climbing and people spending more time than ever stuck in traffic – as evidenced by a recent report from the Metropolitan Planning Council – the timing is right for communities to plan for easier access for pedestrians and transit users. Reconnecting Neighborhoods is working in three communities to help improve retail, transit, and, yes, walkability -- which ultimately will also improve local Walk Scores.