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For my walk I decided to go to Robert Moses beach with two of my friends. I grew up on Long Island and I have visited this beach countless of times. I went at sunset, to enjoy the scenery as much as possible. We walked for about 2 miles around the paths, and on the beach

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What makes this space distinct from others?

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What makes this space distinct from others?

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Robert Moses Beach is distinct in many ways. It is widely known for it's large size, having 5 different fields. Unlike the summer scene packed with beachgoers, in the spring or winter, the space feels almost isolated and peaceful by the sound of waves, chilly air, and wide-open dunes. The quiet atmosphere in colder months, makes the space feel like you have the place to yourself.

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1. What are the implicit rules/norms of this space? How do people navigate and understand them?

In this space it is important to stay kind and respectful for nature here. People stay on designated paths through the dunes, avoid disturbing wildlife, and are careful about leaving no trace. Also, the ocean and wind create a sort of natural boundary. If you run into another walker, it feels less like a crowd and more like two travelers crossing paths.

2. How does the history of this space contribute to its current atmosphere and purpose?

Robert Moses Beach was created by Robert Moses himself, He was a key figure in creating accessible public beaches for New Yorkers. This space has duality because it’s both a constructed, with a highway near it but is a public beach and a wild, natural barrier island.

3. In what ways does this space promote or prohibit/discourage certain kinds of social interactions?

It encourages reflection, quiet walks, or one-on-one conversations. The open space is full of beauty and tends to inspire people.

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Who has entry to this space, and who does not? Why might that be? What kind of rights or other markers does one need to gain entry to this space?

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Who has entry to this space, and who does not? Why might that be? What kind of rights or other markers does one need to gain entry to this space?

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The access of Robert Moses is shaped by geography and transportation. It is hard to get there without a car, unless you take the public bus, but options are limited.

In winter and early spring, the cold weather keeps people away. Summer crowds are often very large, as people like to lay out in the sun and swim.

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1. Beyond physical capacity to enter or access a place, consider emotional or psychological access. Who feels welcome here? Who might feel excluded?

People comfortable with nature and the quiet tend to feel at home at Robert Moses in colder months. Walkers, birdwatchers, runners, and people seeking a calm, uncrowded environment gravitate here. However, in the summer, you will find a more diverse group of people attracted to the warm weather.

2. How are power dynamics expressed in this space? Who seems to hold authority? How is that authority demonstrated?

The state park rangers and maintenance crews are the main authority figures, though in the off-season their presence is minimal.

Most people follow what the signage says (stay off dunes, leash your dog).

3. What are the economic factors that determine access to this space? Are there hidden costs/invisible issues?

In summer, there's a parking fee (around $10–$15), but in spring/winter, entry is often free.

4.How do different social markers (such as age, gender, religion, ability, race, etc.) exist or not exist in this space?

The beach itself is an open space in terms of who shows up, but in colder months, the visitors tend to become a smaller group of people. You'll see a mix of older walkers, solo hikers, or the occasional younger person jogging or taking photos.

5. How does the maintenance of the space reflect the values of the people or groups that have entry to it?

The space is well-maintained even in off-seasons, showing that the space is reserved. Also, beach cleanup is consistent. There is respect for the environment, displaying that the space is designed for coexistence with coastal ecosystems.

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What do you know about this space? Where does that information come from? What you may not know, and how might you find out more?

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What do you know about this space? Where does that information come from? What you may not know, and how might you find out more?

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Robert Moses Beach is a well-known public beach on the south shore of Long Island. It's part of a state park, with a long history tied to the man who the park is named after, Robert Moses. His influence expands all throughout New York’s infrastructure. I know it’s heavily visited and is an important natural habitat. However, I lack information regarding the Indigenous significance, and how local communities used it before it became a state park,

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1. How do your personal experience and background influence your entry to and interpretation of this space?

As someone familiar with Long Island beaches, I see this beach as a classic New York spot, where you can reset your mind. I love the quiet, off-season because it makes me feel welcome, although some might find it too isolated.

2. What assumptions might you have about this space and the people who are seen or not seen here?

I might assume that most visitors in winter are locals, hikers, or solitude-seekers.

3. How can you use different research methods (such as observation, interviews, online/library research, etc.) to uncover histories and information about this space?

I could interview people by talking to regular visitors, park rangers, or local business owners about their relationship with the beach in the off-season. I could also look up archival photos, newspaper articles, or state park documents about how the beach has changed over time.

4. How do local businesses or local groups influence the information that is distributed about this space?

Different groups might frame the space as a fragile ecosystem that needs protection, especially for migratory birds or dune habitats. Others might highlight safety and conservation.

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Reflect on whether "walking research" can enhance your understanding or awareness of the spaces, lives and bodies we inhabit. If so, in what way? If not, why not?

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Reflect on whether "walking research" can enhance your understanding or awareness of the spaces, lives and bodies we inhabit. If so, in what way? If not, why not?

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Yes, walking research can definitely enhance understanding and awareness of the spaces, lives, and bodies we inhabit. When you physically move through a space like Robert Moses Beach in the spring or winter, you experience it in a way that no book or online article could fully convey. Walking research activates your senses. You feel the sharp wind cutting across the dunes, hear the rhythmic crash of the waves, and notice small details like windblown footprints or how the sea grass leans under pressure. These physical sensations create a deeper, embodied understanding of the place. You start to notice how a space shifts with time. You grasp the living rhythm of the space.

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After finishing my walk at Robert Moses Beach during the early spring, I definitely left with more questions and curiosities than when I started. One thing that stuck with me was how different the beach felt compared to the summer, when it’s crowded and full of life. Walking there in the cold, with barely anyone else around, made me wonder how the environment shapes people’s moods and behaviors. Do people feel more connected to nature in the off-season? Or does the emptiness make some feel isolated and uncomfortable? I’d like to explore that more and maybe even interview people who visit in different seasons to see how their experiences compare.

This experience also made me think differently about how I approach other spaces. Usually, when I go somewhere, I’m kind of zoned out or focused on getting from point A to point B. But during this walk, I paid attention to everything. The way the wind shaped the sand dunes, the faded footprints in the wet sand, the cold salt air on my face. It made me realize that every space has hidden details and social dynamics you might miss if you don’t slow down and observe.

The walking and observing definitely helped me notice things I would have overlooked. For example, I noticed how the boardwalks acted like quiet rules, guiding people where to walk and where not to. I also picked up on how even though there were no lifeguards or rangers nearby, the space kind of "told" people how to behave through signs and the natural environment itself.

This method really boosted my awareness of the space and its social significance. It’s not just a beach, it’s a space where certain kinds of people show up (or don’t) depending on the season. In the off-season, it feels like a place for reflection or quiet activity, rather than group fun like in summer. The mood of the beach in winter felt more personal and introspective, and that taught me how the same space can have different meanings depending on the time, weather, and who’s there.

For my Padlet, I decided to include photos. The text helped me explain my thoughts and observations, while the photos showed the empty beach, the gray sky, and the frozen looking dunes.

I chose these modes because I wanted people to experience the space the way I did, not just by reading about it, but by seeing and hearing it too. Overall, this project helped me realize how important it is to physically move through and experience a place, instead of just reading about it or seeing pictures online. I think I’ll carry this mindset with me whenever I explore new environments in the future.