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Seaview Park felt open and peaceful. I thought about how public spaces like this can bring people together, but also how not everyone might feel welcome in every space. I wondered things like Who originally used this land? How do different people experience the park today?

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The History of this Space and Its Changing Purpose

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The History of this Space and Its Changing Purpose

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Seaview Park is a 132-acre park in Brooklyn, New York. Once home to the Canarsee, a Lenape subgroup, it was later settled by the Dutch in the 17th century. Brooklyn acquired the land in the late 19th century, expanding it in the 20th century.

It was originally designed for recreation, but today it serves as a cultural gathering place for Canarsie’s Caribbean community.

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Seaview Park stands out because of its coastal location, it has scenic waterfront views and its very peaceful. Unlike busier parks, it has a quieter, more natural setting.

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Seaview Canarsie Park, like many urban parks, has its own set of unwritten social rules. Some areas, like the basketball courts—are lively and competitive, while the walking paths remain more relaxed and personal. .

It’s a local retreat where people from Canarsie gather for sports, exercise, and relaxation.

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Who Belongs? Access and Exclusion in Urban Spaces

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Who Belongs? Access and Exclusion in Urban Spaces

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This park is physically open to all.

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The Impact of Surveillance in Everyday Life

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The Impact of Surveillance in Everyday Life

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There aren’t many visible security cameras in Seaview Canarsie Park, which gives it a sense of freedom compared to more closely monitored public spaces.

The lack of heavy surveillance also means the park operates more on trust than enforcement.

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The Role of Local Businesses in Shaping this Public Space

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The Role of Local Businesses in Shaping this Public Space

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It’s influenced by the surrounding businesses. Small local restaurants and food trucks near the park offer a sense of community gathering, where people grab food after a game or a walk.

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The Emotional and Psychological Boundaries of this space

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The Emotional and Psychological Boundaries of this space

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Seaview Canarsie Park feels welcoming to those who know it well. It doesn't feel isolating like large, empty parks in less-populated areas. However, someone unfamiliar with Canarsie might feel like they're out of place being in a new environnment.

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Social Interactions in Designed vs. Organic Spaces

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Social Interactions in Designed vs. Organic Spaces

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The basketball courts create high-energy groups, while the walking paths encourage self reflection.

As a long-standing neighborhood park, it wasn’t designed to be a highly structured social environment and it evolved to fit the needs of the community.

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Though the park is free to enter, there are hidden costs tied to participation. The cost of sports equipment (basketballs, bicycles, running shoes) affects who can fully engage in the activities here.

Also transportation costs play a role—Seaview Canarsie Park is easily accessible for locals, but someone from another borough might find it expensive or inconvenient to visit.

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The Role of Maintenance and Cleanliness in Social Control

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The Role of Maintenance and Cleanliness in Social Control

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The park is well-maintained, but it doesn't receive the same level of attention as more popular parks like Central Park.

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Walking as a Research Method: Seeing Spaces Differently

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Walking as a Research Method: Seeing Spaces Differently

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Walking through the park makes it clear that Seaview Canarsie Park is a very social environment —older residents use the benches near the water, some people use the basketball courts, and families take over the picnic areas.

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Walking research allowed me to engage with the space in a new and thoughtful way. Using the ideas from Springgay and Truman’s walking research, I focused on how place, sensory details, embodiment, and rhythm shaped my experience.The walking research method made me more aware of the social aspects of the park. I saw how people interacted, some jogging alone with headphones, and others gathered in groups. I noticed how space was used differently by different groups, making me think about accessibility and inclusion.