Central Park Research Project by Nicole Pepa

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 14:56:40 UTC

Central Park, an iconic urban park in New York City, it spans about 843 acres and serves as a spot for both locals and tourists. This project explores how walking through Central Park enhances our understanding of urban life, community interactions, and the significance of green spaces.

Inspired by Springgay and Truman, walking is not just a physical act but it is a way to engage with the environment, revealing insights into how we navigate and take over spaces.

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 14:59:04 UTC

Sights: Tall skyscrapers surrounding the park, wide lawns, diverse groups of people picnicking, and street performers entertaining the public environment.

Sounds: The birds singing, children's laughter, distant music, and leaves rustling in the wind.

Smells: Freshly cut grass, food from vendors, and the earth scents of trees and flowers.

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:01:57 UTC

Central Park is widely accessible, yet there are variations in who feels comfortable using different areas. While tourists group to popular spots, local New Yorkers may prefer quieter areas that are less popular.

Observations of wheelchair-accessible paths and rest areas indicate efforts to enhance diversity, but crowded spaces can still pose challenges for some.

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:04:53 UTC

What I Know:
- Central Park is designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the 1850s and serves as a crucial green space in an urban environment, providing an entertaining area for diverse communities.
What I Want to Learn:
- The history of Central Park’s creation and how its evolving role in New York City.
- More about community resourcefulness aimed at maintaining and improving the park’s accessibility.

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:09:20 UTC

Walking through Central Park highlighted the park’s role as a community where people from diverse backgrounds can interact. The physical act of walking gave me the experience that the park as a living entity, filled with stories and connections.

My movement through the area made me more aware of how my body interacts with the environment, from the soft grass underneath to the busy paths filled with joggers and cyclists.

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:17:59 UTC

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:18:25 UTC

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:18:38 UTC

npepa650 — 2024-10-22 15:20:16 UTC

Walking through Central Park deepened my understanding of its significance as a green space in an urban environment. The sensory experiences and interactions I observed revealed how identity, privilege, and community are connected within the popular park. This project illustrates the value of “walking research” in revealing the complexities of spaces we often take for granted.