Project 2 by rebecca alvarado

Peck Park

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-16 23:52:45 UTC

The place I chose to do my walk was Peck Park. Peck Park is a park that is right across the street from my house. It stretches for a while and then connects to a bigger, more popular park. I have a lot of memories with this park because I grew up next to it. I also choose to walk this path because it usually is calm and inviting.

A. What makes this space distinct from others?

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:03:06 UTC

What makes this place stand out is that I have my own personal connection to it. Normally, people walk around here with family, friends, or pets. There are playgrounds where kids love to play. It encourages social interaction in a positive way, helping kids connect with each other and allowing simple daily interactions, like two people saying hi while walking their dogs.

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

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:16:24 UTC

This park is open to everyone. It's easy for people in wheelchairs to get around, and it's safe for those with disabilities. There's a special needs school across the street, and they sometimes bring their students here on field trips. It’s also great for people who like to walk since it's near a shopping center and a big high school. Plus, there’s lots of parking for people who drive.

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:27:31 UTC

This park feels welcoming to most people, especially families, pet owners, and kids, though those seeking quieter spaces might feel excluded. Authority is mainly held by park officials and officers. The park is free to access so it's easy for all people to enjoy. The space is generally inclusive, but groups like older adults might feel like it is less catered to them due to all the younger attractions like swings and playgrounds. There aren't many security cameras because the park is in a safe neighborhood.

C. 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?

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:34:43 UTC

Most of the information I know about this park comes from word of mouth. Since iv lived by it all my life I have meet people through this park and was about to talk about it with them. I dont know much about the history of this park but I think it would be cool to learn when is was built and who works there.

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:40:02 UTC

My personal experience and background influence my interpretation of this space by making me more attuned to the diverse needs of different groups. I might assume that this park is primarily for families or pet owners because of its design, though I recognize that people who are seeking solitude or quieter spaces might feel overlooked. To uncover more about this space, I could use observation to note how different groups interact with it, conduct interviews with park visitors or locals to hear their perspectives, and use online or library research to understand the history and purpose behind the park's creation.

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:42:25 UTC

"Walking research" helped me understand by physically moving through space, I can observe how different people interact with it and how it affects them personally. It allows me to experience the environment firsthand. It can also give insight into how people of different backgrounds, abilities, or ages use the space.

1. Place

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:47:24 UTC

Place is important here, as the park isn’t just a location but an active space shaped by movement. Walking through the park, whether with family, friends, or pets, creates a dynamic relationship between the environment and those who use it.

3. Embodiment

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:48:56 UTC

Embodiment comes into play as people physically interact with the space children play on the swings, adults walk the paths, and dogs explore the open areas. The sensory experience of walking through the park also adds layers to the visit, from feeling the texture of the ground beneath your feet to hearing the sounds of laughter or the rustling of trees.

4. Rythem

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:52:32 UTC

Rhythm is present, whether it’s the steady walk of a dog owner or the playful energy of children running between playgrounds or the swings. The park becomes where people’s bodies, movements, and sensory experiences are intertwined, showing how walking brings a connection to a specific space.

2. Sensory inquiry

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 00:57:11 UTC

At the park, sensory inquiry plays a big role in how the space is experienced. As I walk through, I notice the texture of the grass under my shoe, the cool breeze brushing against my face, and the sounds of children laughing and playing. The sounds of footsteps on the pavement and the rustling of leaves in the wind all add to the sensory experience, making the park feel alive in a way that engages all the senses.

Podcast takeaway

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 01:15:43 UTC

To relate to the podcast, the biggest takeaway was that walking can reveal how people are often judged or stereotyped based on their gender or race, which can impact their experience in public spaces. Race and gender are particularly important in walking research, as they can shape both the researcher’s and the walker’s experience in various ways, including how they’re perceived or treated.

Post walk Uptake report

rebeccamariha8 — 2025-03-17 13:40:54 UTC

After my walk, I started wondering how the space changes throughout the day or depending on who’s around. It made me think about how people interact with the park differently and how those small changes impact the overall feel. Walking and paying close attention helped me notice little details I might have missed before, like sounds, smells, or things people left behind. It made me more aware of the type of interactions and atmosphere in the park. For my Padlet, I used a mix of pictures and text. I had a recording, but the audio wasn't good so that I couldn't use it. I felt the photos helped capture the overall vibe. The text was useful in explaining things that were hard to show visually. Overall, the photos felt most effective in capturing the space because they gave a deeper sense of what was actually happening in the moment.