b. Over the years there has been a change in how much I influence someone, and that is due to my age and level of maturity that has gone up over the years. In areas like coaching, my age and level of knowledge of the game have proved to influence players greater than if I would have coached them at the beginning of my freshman year of high school. Although I stated that my influence is not as great in y family, it has still changed over the years simply due to my age. As a ten year old, my thoughts on family matters would have meant less than my thoughts now as an eighteen year old man.

ii. https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/blog/2018/02/three-reasons-to-consider-later-school-start-times.html

iii. https://www.health.com/healthier-cook-at-home-8425394

iv. https://www.todaythe50th.com/post/8-benefits-of-reading-fiction

v. https://effectivegov.uchicago.edu/primers/compulsory-voting

vi. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-more-homework-means-more-stress-031114

vii. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7785056/

viii. https://www.idtech.com/blog/video-games-should-be-considered-a-sport

ix. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10864434/

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

Due to the fact that it is a public park, there are not many implicit rules, but one of the largest unspoken rules is that a pedestrian needs to stay on the side of the path. During a marathon, the path is fully reserved for the runners, so the best thing to do is to cheer respectfully, and not block runners by staying to the side of the oath. Since everyone was following the rules, the process of walking through the park and cheering is much smoother and more out together. 

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

Since the park was designed as a public green space for recreational purposes, its uses have shifted toward more outdoor events, but the old buildings throughout the park give traces back to its older history and give traces of its past, giving the park an endless mix of history and modern activity. 

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

The space promotes social interaction through cheering and encouragement, but it also allows quiet moments for walking or reflecting. 

• Beyond physical capacity to enter or access this space, consider emotional or psychological access. Who feels welcome here? Who might feel excluded?

All feel welcome here because of the way that the park’s peacefulness makes you feel. People feel comfortable enough to close their eyes and sun bathe, or let their dog run free, here without any worry. Also, because of the race this weekend, runners and families watching might have felt very welcome, but people who either did not participate or have a dog to let run around the park. Might have felt left out.  

• Who seems to hold authority in this space? How is that authority demonstrated?

During my walk this weekend, the race organizers, volunteers, and runners seemed to control the main path. While people with dogs and children seemed to control the large grass area in the center of the park. People involved with the race wore bright colored vests, gave directions, and controlled the space around the finish line. The people who owned dogs did not demonstrate any authority over their space, it just felt like in order to enjoy the main grass area, you needed to have a dog that you could let loose. 

• What are the economic factors that determine entry into this space? Are there hidden costs/invisible issues?

Entry into the park is always free, but in order to join the marathon you would’ve had to have registered online which costs money, along with the costs of gear and travel All of these factors do limit who can participate. 

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

Social markers do not exist in this place because everyone is welcome. All kinds of people were present in the park, whether they were there for the race or not. People ranging from ages of two to eighty were there. Despite your age, gender, or background, everyone seemed to share the same space without big obstructions or divisions. 

• Are there any visible or invisible signs of social control or surveillance within this space?

There were not any visible signs of surveillance within the park that I could see, but I’m sure that the police department has hidden cameras throughout the park to ensure the safety of the people in it. There was slight social control amongst the staff of the race because they had to keep the finish line and everything around it clear and safe. 

• How does the maintenance of this space reflect the values of the people or the groups that exist here or have entry to it?

The cleanliness of the park, plentiful trash bins, and kept greenery showed that the people of the park value community, nature, and respect for shared spaces.

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

As a student and observer, I saw the park as a place of movement and connection. Due to the fact that I have a large family and we do a lot of family gatherings, my background made me appreciate the community energy and inclusive feel that the park gave off. 

• What assumptions might you have about this space and the people who are seen here?

I assumed that all the runners would be competitive and the people of the park would get annoyed that the race was taking up a large portion of the park, but I was wrong. Most people were racing just for fun and all the people in the park were encouraging and friendly. It showed that the event was more about community than winning.  

• 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 use observation to see how people move through different areas of the park and how they interact during events. Interviews with runners, volunteers, or park staff could help me learn what the park means to them and how it’s used today. Online or library research could uncover historical facts about how Prospect Park was designed and how it has changed over time. Combining these methods would give a deeper understanding of both the park’s past and its role in the community now.

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

Local running clubs, sponsors, and news outlets help spread info about events like the marathon and shape how people view the park.

    Sensation was strong too because of the cold air, smell of the damp ground and forestry, and the bright fall colors. It made the experience real and emotional. These small sensory moments built pathos, appealing to feeling and empathy. Watching the runners push themselves brought a sense of motivation to me and made me want to join the race.

Relation showed in how people connected without words, runners supporting each other, spectators cheering for strangers, and volunteers handing out water. These actions built ethos, or a sense of trust and community. Everyone played a role that showed respect for the space and for one another.

Through responsiveness, I noticed how the space itself guided the behavior of the people in it and how the space reacted to the energy people brought. The paths, cones, and volunteers organized how people moved, showing logos, or reasoning in how the event was planned. It made sense that the park’s design and rules shaped how everyone interacted.

The kairos, or perfect timing, of my walk mattered as well. No matter where I walked, each spot felt as though I was meant to be there at that specific moment in time. Seeing the park during the marathon gave me a new perspective compared to a normal day. The energy, sound, and emotion were unique to that moment in time. Whether I was at the middle of the trail supporting my friend running the race, the finish line, or the very beginning, it felt as though I was meant to be in each spot at the right time. 

By taking photos and paying attention to small details, I learned that walking can reveal the deeper meaning of a place. It was not just about seeing the place, rather, it was about being present and feeling the space around me both physically and mentally. The sights, smells, and the way that the park made me feel added to the meaning behind my walk. This experience showed me that spaces like Prospect Park hold both history and life. The combination of movement, sensation, relation, and responsiveness made the park feel alive, and using ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos helped me understand how people, emotion, reason, and timing all shape how we experience public spaces.

Potential People That are Being Interviewed:

Deen Durkovic (Fellow Student)

Questions:

1. What decisions that you made in your life prior to attending St. John's influenced your decision to come here?

2. What is your family life and dynamic like back at home and do you feel that it contributed to your decision to attend St. John's.

3. How have you found the social life here at St. John's like?

4. A) Do you dorm or commute here?

   B) Would you say that your decision to (do whichever he chose), has changed your experience here at St. John's?

5. Being that you are well into your first semester, tell me about how your classes are going.

6. What did you expect to get out of St. John's?

7. Do you feel that the future you made for yourself in your head, prior to coming here, is able to grow and thrive as a student here?

8. What steps are you taking and which ones do you want to take, in order to set yourself in the best way possible for the future?

9. Can you share with me any doubts or ill-thoughts you have about the school?

10. How do you think your time here at St. John's will go over the next four years?

    
    

Stops such as First Draft Cove and Revision Ridge symbolize my writing process early on and the importance of revising and improving my work. As the path continues, locations such as Trail of Discovery, Storyteller Shores, and Campus Village show how my writing expanded beyond the classroom through observation, storytelling, and communication with peers. The Journey leads to Mount Inquiry, the highest point on the island, which represents the Research Artifact, which was the most challenging assignment of the semester. The map ends back at St. John's Landing, showing my growth as a writer in this class, while leaving space for continued progress.