Anthony W. Haddad

The Millennial View

Fresno, are you OK? Have you taken a second to rest, relax, and rejuvenate?

We recently celebrated National Mental Health Day, a crucial reminder to prioritize self-care and support one another. It made me reflect on how we in Fresno actually unwind and relieve stress. Many of us turn to outings for relaxation, hit the gym, or indulge in a binge-watching session of shows like “Yellowjackets” or “Agatha All Along” — my current obsessions. But does Fresno really have what it takes to snap us back to ourselves?

Sure, we have places like Woodward Park, River Park Shopping Center, overcrowded gyms, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. But do we have anything truly exceptional and accessible right outside our doors?

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Fresno, All I Want Is a Walkable City

When I visit San Francisco or San Diego, I cherish the ability to step outside and find something to do, whether it is grabbing a breakfast burrito or taking a scenic walk. It’s not just about convenience — being able to stay active is crucial for mental health. In Fresno, we have a lot of land, but it’s hard to make a walkable city in a place that was built for cars.

The closest grocery store and restaurants to where I live are two miles away. I’d love to be able to leave my car at home, take a walk, and get some exercise while running errands or grabbing a bite to eat. But in Fresno, everything is spread out, making a car feel like a necessity rather than an option.

A dream of mine is a Fresno where we could leave our cars behind, where a walk to the grocery store or a café was a simple, daily ritual. It would do more than just save on gas, it would support our health and give us a chance to move our bodies, relieve stress, and connect with our surroundings. And it could address one of Fresno’s biggest issues: our air quality.

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Fresno’s Air Affects Our Health

The air in Fresno is among the worst in the country, and our reliance on cars isn’t helping. We’re a city designed around driving, but that comes at a cost — thick smog that lingers, making it harder to breathe. If we were to walk more or use easily accessible public transportation that was truly within walking distance of our homes, we could reduce emissions and create a city where we breathe a little easier.

It wouldn’t just be good for our lungs, it would be good for our minds too.

Walking through a neighborhood has a way of grounding us, of making us feel more connected to the place we live. In cities with walkable neighborhoods, there’s a natural flow to everyday life — where you might run into a neighbor, stop to admire a blooming garden, or simply enjoy the act of getting from point A to point B.

In Fresno, that sense of connection is harder to find, and it’s not because people don’t care. It’s because we’re separated by stretches of roads and parking lots, by distances that could be walkable but aren’t.

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A shift towards a more walkable Fresno wouldn’t just change how we move — it would change how we live. It could transform how we take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally, offering a small but meaningful way to improve our daily lives.

Instead of dreading the drive to pick up groceries or meet a friend for lunch, we could find joy in the walk there, knowing that each step is making our city a little healthier and ourselves a little happier — so long as the weather doesn’t wipe us out.

The Cost of Fresno’s Extreme Weather

And then there’s the weather. For a few short weeks in the spring and fall, we enjoy cool mornings and sunny afternoons, the kind of days that make you want to be outside. But most of the year, it’s either too hot or too cold.

If the Democrats really control the weather, like Marjorie Taylor Greene says, they really must hate Fresno by not giving us a livable weather pattern.

Our scorching Fresno summers mean staying indoors, huddled in air-conditioned spaces, counting down the days until the heat breaks. Winters bring their chill that keeps many from venturing out.

That leaves us with a small window to explore what’s out there, and even then, what is there to explore? The parks, shopping centers, and zoo can be lovely, but they don’t always feel like enough.

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There’s a vibrant downtown where you can walk from one spot to another, small farmers markets that make each weekend feel different. But, even with these, it’s as if Fresno was never truly built to accommodate so many people, let alone provide spaces where they can thrive.

It’s hard not to feel confined when the places that could offer a reprieve from everyday stress aren’t easy to reach or don’t provide a new experience each time you visit. And when the heat sets in, it’s even harder to muster the energy to seek out the few activities we do have.

Fresno, Let’s Build a Healthier Future Together

So what can we do? We can begin this change by recognizing that our mental and physical well-being depends on the environment we live in. Fresno needs more walkable spaces — places where we can stroll to a market, grab coffee, or simply enjoy a bit of fresh air.

We need more shaded walking paths, safer sidewalks, and community-driven projects that create spaces where we can connect without having to hop in a car.

City planners, local leaders, and residents need to come together to reimagine Fresno’s layout — not just for convenience, but for our health. Encouraging small, local markets or cafes to open in neighborhoods, investing in tree-lined paths that provide a respite from the sun, and prioritizing public transportation that makes sense for more people could all make a big difference.

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And let’s not forget the potential in repurposing spaces for year-round activities — indoor or outdoor — to keep us moving and connected even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

We need to ask ourselves, what kind of Fresno do we want to live in? One where we’re stuck inside, feeling isolated, or one where we can walk out our front door and feel part of something bigger — our community.

Let’s work toward a Fresno that supports our mental health by making it easier to be active, breathe easier, and enjoy all that our city could offer.

A Fresno that not only asks, “Are you OK?” but offers spaces that help us truly feel that way.

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Connect with Anthony W. Haddad by email or on social media.