Windshield Survey Paper

Community Health Nursing
Excelsior College
Professor Debra Masterson
November 04, 2014

This windshield survey was created using my community in Ocala which is located in Marion county Florida. The city itself has a population of over 319,000 according to the 2013 census and I am sure it has grown since then as the city continues to grow and development almost daily. With this population it is the 45th most populated city in Florida. Ocala is well know the horse capital of the world. It was given that name because the first thoroughbred horse farm in Florida was developed in 1943 by Carl G. Rose. One of his horses won a large race making the first thoroughbred to be raised in Florida right out of Ocala. The community itself is well populated and is often considered to be congested at times with due to the minimum about of main roads in the small city. There is variety of subdivision in Ocala that definitely shows many of the residenta economic status. There are some areas that have homes that should be condemned, as they are not well kept. However, as you pass these areas you get the feel that there is so much history in these communities. I see people outside talking, children running and playing in the streets, groups of elderly adults sitting under trees and talking to each other. Within the city of Ocala the homes are built in very close geographic locations. Some of the homes have the window air condition units sitting in the front window seal. I would have to say that I cannot really tell if they have central air and heat in this area, because I cannot see a large air conditioning unit that I am use to. There are vacant lots where the kids are playing; they don’t look run down but they are not well manicured either. The majority of people that I did see walking down the sidewalks and streets were African Americans, with Latin heritage and the occasional Caucasian. The more I drove down this side of town I can see that they are equipped with the bare minimum. This community did not have a wide variety of health choice resturants or large shopping complex. A dollar store, McDonald’s, a couple of local restaurants that are ran by the locals in the community but no larger chains were readily visible. There were multiple schools and a health clinics and I also noticed a large community center. I saw local fruit stands on the side of the roads along with people selling barbeque on the side of the road. No large grocery chain was noted. I saw local meat markets, where they did sell some products, but there was no Publix or Walgreens close by.The further I drove down this area, I became uncomfortable and did not want to get lost, so I did turn around and decided to go down another part of town. I began to drive down the other side of town, this where the horse capital really came in to play. This wasn’t a busy area; it was quite and well kept. The homes were large and far off from the road. Most of these homes appeared to be farm like, or horse breeding in nature. As Ocala is well known for their history of horse breeding. The homes were separated by at least half a mile. Nothing like privacy, I would say. This area had only one corner store, which again had some history. This community would have to go into the city to get there daily living supplies. I could drive down this road for a long time just for the scenery and the beautiful horses that are running around. I saw no signs of schools or local doctor in this area. Again they would have to drive to get any health care needs addressed or education requirements. As I drove into the populated and congested are of Ocala the scene is busy. Hwy 200 is a very busy highway. The Paddock Mall is there, the local community college is there. There are two very large hospitals in this area as well, known as Monroe Regional Medical Center and Ocala Regional Medical Center. On almost block there are large plazas filled with shopping departments, eateries, and doctor offices, that specialize in any and every thing. There is a large high school that looks over populated as well. There is a large Publix on this corner as well that really keeps the area over congested. I see rehab centers Palm Gardens, and a mental health institute called the Vines. There are ALF’s in this are as well.
Then there is the historic district made up of many historic homes are preserved in Ocala's large residential Historic District designated in 1984. East Fort King Street features many excellent examples of Victorian architecture. Ocala structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places include the Coca Cola Building, the E. C. Smith House, East Hall, the Marion Hotel, Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, the Ritz Historic Inn, and Union Train Station.

References: http://wellflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Marion-County-Needs-Assessment-2007.pdf. http://www.floridacharts.com/charts/default.aspx
http://www.city-data.com/county/Marion_County-FL.html