Wendy Bumgardner, About.com's Guide to Walking, points out that a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association and Prevention magazine has identified Chicago as one of the top ten walking cities. The criteria included the quantity of parks and green spaces and put a special emphasis on walking for commuting rather than simply exercise purposes.

My feeling is that the quality of the walking really depends on what area of the city you live in and how you need to commute to work. Also, I'd argue there are more active communities of organized runners and bikers than walkers, from an exercise standpoint.

However, if you're among the people looking to join with some organized walkers, the Chicago Park District has loads of inexpensive or free walking programs that start at the end of this month. Just in time for spring.