This month we’d like to introduce you to volunteer extraordinaire, Marion Ceruzzi. Did you know that she regularly #walks as transportation and for her health (and goes for dog walks too)? 😄 We’d also like to take a moment to call out just a few of the many activities Marion does in the community. She is a @humanesocietypikespeak volunteer, alternate member of the Manitou Open Space Advisory Committee (#osac), volunteers with the Manitou Springs Garden Club as a master gardener and oversees the care of the Mansions Park garden plots, works at the Manitou #foodpantry, to name a few. We thank Marion for her volunteer efforts and for sharing her mobility perspectives with our followers on FB and IG.
How long have you been living in Manitou Springs and why did you choose to live here?
I moved here from New Jersey in May 2019. It is a long story how I found out about Manitou Springs. I was adopting from Paraguay, the landlocked kidney-shaped country in the middle of South America. While there, I met a woman who had to stay there 3 years! I told her as soon as she was home, I would visit her and continued to visit for many years. I loved the area of the US where she lived, and she convinced us to move out near where she lived—right near Manitou Springs in Colorado.
Why do you walk/take bus/shuttles in Manitou and how has it improved your quality of life?
I walk the most, I live about 1.5 miles from Soda Springs Park. I love the Creek Walk trail, it is so beautiful. I frequently meet folks I know along the way and love catching up. I find it much more pleasant to walk to various meetings, friends’ houses, to get a haircut, to go to the library or shops in Manitou than take a car. I even walk a friend’s dog. I think walking is important for one’s health and for the environment. I remember walking to town in the middle of a snowstorm, it was about 12 degrees, a guy in a car told me to turn back, but I was fine. I walk all over my neighborhood and in the garden. It is like walking in a pretty postcard. I log at least 3 miles a day.
What are the pros/cons of walking and taking the bus/shuttles in Manitou?
The cons of walking is certain areas do not have sidewalks and cars will pass quickly, often exceeding the speed limit. I will take the bus if I am in a hurry, but that does not happen very often. I know sometimes folks do not want to wait around for public transportation. The pros as I listed above are the opportunity to get exercise, meet folks along the way and have the opportunity to view the nature all around.
What infrastructure and/or esthetic improvement would have the most positive impact on your walking/transit/shuttle experiences in Manitou?
In some instances sidewalks may help especially around Crystal Park Road but I know that is a point of contention. The speed bumps along Crystal Park Road did help a bit, but many cars simply speed up after they pass them. I am glad some of the street areas have clear painted areas for pedestrians, which is great as cars will usually stop if I am staring to the street. If it is dark, I will look to catch a shuttle.
What advice would you give someone who would like to give active transportation in Manitou a try but does not have much time?
Try the shuttles, buses or bike if you have one. They are convenient.
What other form(s) of transportation do you use and what has that experience been like?
If one drives a car, parking can be challenging. I do drive to the post office which has a 15 minute parking limit if I am mailing large packages which I simply cannot carry. If I know I have to come home very late at night, I will occasionally drive.
Walking is one of the best exercises, given it a try. You never know who you may meet along the way.