Walking Research Project by Kaitlyn

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 19:07:42 UTC

When it comes to Roosevelt Field island everybody has access to this space. Everybody is allowed to just go on the island and enjoy looking at all the beautiful trees as well as the abandoned monumental buildings and little animal shelter that they have with the ducks and the cats. You can also view the statue of Roosevelt’s face they have with his most famous quote on the back. Other markers that you might need to enter this space is a MetroCard that has fare money inside or a car to access this place since it is an island. You can also take the F train directly to the island or ride the cable car ride to get the view of the city and the island as a whole.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 19:13:55 UTC

I feel that everybody might feel welcome here because of how inviting everybody on the island is. Considering that Roosevelt made many changes to America during his presidency people might feel an emotional connection towards this island because he made a change that specifically affected them. I also think that there might be a connection towards people that access this island because there’s a abandoned smallpox hospital although this happened a little far in the past people might still feel a connection towards the hospital as they might’ve lost past relatives here. There’s also apartments here and homes that people live in so there might be a emotional and psychological connection to the place considering people raise their families here or overall just grew up here. Additionally, I think very rarely anybody feel the need to feel excluded because just by spending half of my day eating at a restaurant on the island and just talking to my mom and brother while on this island everybody was very kind and welcoming to show how much they enjoyed their time on this island.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 19:22:06 UTC

I think that power dynamics are expressed in this space very clearly you can see throughout the island there is lots of patrol to ensure that the residents and people spending time on the island are safe and get to their destinations safely as well. The people that hold authority on this island are the RIOC (Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation) and they are the NY State public benefit corporation that hold authority over the island. RIOC was created I'm 1984 to manage the islands development operations and maintenance and they are also responsible for planning designing and overseeing different aspects on the island that we see today like the roads, parks, buildings, sports facilities, and public transportation. The PSD (RIOC’s Public Safety Department) also plays a key role in keeping the island in order as well as keeping the island safe as well as enforcing rules and regulations.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 19:37:20 UTC

I feel like there's no boarder to economic factors that determine access to this space because as long as you have the fare to make it to this destination you're able to access this island. As stated previously this island is open to everybody and they're able to access this island without any precautions as long as the islands open because it does close at 10 pm everyday. Personally I think going to this island while sunlight's still out it provides more of a easy and relaxing experience so this way you're fully able to experience what is going on within the island and really feel the vibe as well. There is also some economic factors like the cost of housing if you're looking to live there, transportation, and the cost of attending school on this island as well considering that there is a college, high school, and elementary school here. Some less visible issues that are occurring on the island can be gentrification, limited amenities and services, and transportation. Gentrification that might occur is the island has seen increasing value in the properties that are there and this might displace long term residents that have lived there their whole life and this might also negatively impact the islands diversity. Limited amenities and services are based off of the limited resources on the island there's only one handful of grocery stores inside the island as well as restaurants, stores, mechanic shops, and etc.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:17:48 UTC

Gender, religion, ability, race, age, and etc. does not exist at all in this space. I feel that if your young and a baby obviously you will be supervised by your guardian as well as young kids, on the other hand with adults you're there for a reason to tour the island live there or just enjoy your time exploring. Also with age considering the housing there is also a wide range of ages including the families young professionals that are attending the college and people that have retired. Regarding race and ethnicity I realized walking around the island it's very diverse meaning that all people of all races and ethnicities are allowed to attend this island making it an open space with availability to all people, and the island does attract many residents that may work for the United Nations headquarters that's right outside of the island. Considering that this is NYC one of the most diverse cities there isn't really a limit to religions that attend this space, and there is lots of opportunities for everybody especially disabled people the lands mostly flat with not too many stairs and if there is stairs there's also ramps and hills that disabled people can access.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:25:10 UTC

In this space there are visible signs like security cameras that are places throughout the space like places at the entrance, exits, parking lots, and common populated areas, especially at the residential areas to ensure that people are safe throughout the island. There's also security through the island and police officers to provide visible presence of authority and monitoring. In shops or general areas to ensure citizens know they are being recorded there's signs to show that you're under surveillance in the area. Some invisible signs might be license plate readers in case of an emergency to ensure that people entering an exiting are supposed to be there and that they are hiding from the law. As well as cybersecurity measures that shops and outlets there might have to protect them against cyber threats/attacks.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:33:18 UTC

The maintenance of this space might reflect the values of the people or the groups that have entry to itis by the people that work on the island day and night to ensure that the island is safe and clean for all individuals there this is demonstrating their priorities for the community, the safety of everybody there, and aesthetics to ensure the place is well kept and the appearance is nice. You might see this while walking in the island in streets, sidewalks, parks, and public areas, this would be showed with the citizens there that they are comfortable leaving special belongings out or they aren't very closed off when it comes to people talking to them because they know they're safe to be here. You can see the aesthetics throughout the nice blossom trees that lines up along the outside of the island as well as the marbled stones that cover the island, and the gates and fences that appeal to the human eye, and the flowers, as well as the remodeling of some buildings that are there for a more cleaner and modern look. The safety you can see through the pathways because there are traffic cops at places that might be confusing to follow through with as well at stop signs, speed bumps, and traffic lights.

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?

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:38:56 UTC

Prior to attending this place I just had the idea of walking into an island that contained things about the past president Roosevelt. Instead walking into this place it automatically set the tone for how peaceful it was, walking around I got a sense of how this place is being taken care of so good and this might represent that this is how Roosevelt cared about the people of the United States when he was president. I think that information on the island like the buildings as the abandoned smallpox hospital that was opened on the island and funded because of the pandemic, and the buildings where research experiments were conducted shows that there is a history to this island that contributes to developing the island and setting its environment to what it is today. Upon first entering the island I didn't know much about the shelters, residential buildings, or abandoned buildings here but after reading the signs and looking at the Roosevelt Field Island I found out more on the buildings here.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:42:20 UTC

I feel like my personal experience here was wonderful because I was able to fully see what is going on within this island and explore this island with no limitations and eventually ending the day eating at a Japanese Cuisine restaurant that is located towards the residential area on the island. Walking throughout this place for a field trip for another class I found out there's more to New York City then just a fast paced environment with a bunch of buildings and instead there's an area where you can stop and slow and while reflecting on your walk. My interpretation of this space was thinking that this is a very safe environment to live in considering how well taken care of and patrolled it is.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:45:53 UTC

Some assumptions on this place that I have had upon entering was the complete switch of atmosphere feeling that now I'm inside an area where bad things won't happen and it's almost like I've escaped the classic NYC dangerous environment that occurs within the city especially. I also assumed that the people that may live within the residential area might be money makers because of the building style as well as the cars that people may own on the island, and the amount of space that these people in the residential areas have. I also assumed that since the day I went was busy and there wasn't much parking we wouldn't get to fully experience the island but I was wrong and instead we were able to talk to some of the people that supervised the island with ease and realize everybody here is willing to share how important this island is to nature and everybody there.

How can you use different research methods to uncover histories and information about this space?

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:47:24 UTC

You can use different research methods such as searching up on google and they have a page dedicated to the island with explanations on the abandoned closed off buildings that there are inside the island, as well as park rangers that know some fun facts about this island.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:48:58 UTC

I feel that the local businesses bring sort of a sense of community and security within the island because I saw many different mini shops and cafes with names in many different language and this to me means community because people from all around the world are able to share and bring their cultures here and share it with other people.

What makes this space distinct from others?

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:50:34 UTC

It’s a small island in NY with a living population.

It has the Four Freedoms State Park.

View of Manhattan

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:51:17 UTC

Rules/norms of Roosevelt Island:

Parking is metered with time limits

The island is open from 6am-10pm,

All pets must be leashed, licensed and vaccinated,

The island has strict traffic rules to allow for emergency access especially for hospitals

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:52:28 UTC

The history of this space:

It became a place for the poor, housing institutions like workhouses, hospitals, an asylum, and a penitentiary. It was renamed Roosevelt Island in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and redeveloped into neighborhoods where people can build a good life and reside there.

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

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:53:05 UTC

Space promotes/prohibits/discourage certain kinds of social interactions:

island closes at 10pm everyday, prohibits social interaction after that time,

It’s a small island with a small population, allows for intimate interactions and promotes having to go out and meet new people. It would be hard not to meet new people and friends!

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?

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:56:58 UTC

I feel that walking research can enhance my understanding or awareness of the spaces, lives, and bodies we inhabit because upon walking into a space we may not know about crime rates, residents, safety, or aesthetics there but walking into this space I learned not only about how Roosevelt was as a president but how we all can be as people to one another and how kind we can all be as people if we create a community with each other that were able to join together and be together. We can also learn from one another and create a sense of culture within each other by teaching one another things that we may not know.

Websites used

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:58:39 UTC

Websites used

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 20:59:11 UTC

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 21:05:14 UTC

Small pox Hospital

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 21:05:48 UTC

Strecker Memorial Laboratory

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 21:06:15 UTC

Franklin D. Roosevelt Statue

kaitlynfalcon24 — 2025-05-17 21:06:38 UTC

Japanese Cuisine Restaurant