Entertainment Uses
While New York parks are used as a way to escape the densely populated areas of the city, it is also a place where people may go when looking for some sort of entertainment, whether they are on their lunch break, out for a walk, or just enjoying the weather. Entertainment uses pertained to actions or uses that were not sport related or commercial and tourist locations. During our field research we found that there are many ways that people entertained themselves or they were entertained.
Bryant Park had many forms of entertainment both which was observed on our day of research and from what New York resident Nicholas Desbiens explained to us while on a tour of the city. Bryant Park, located right next to the New York Public Library was redone in the 1980s after becoming a major drug hangout place making the area very dangerous. Today it is clean while being a popular spot for New Yorker’s during their lunch breaks. The park has many unique forms of entertainment not only for adults, but for children as well, with a merry-go-round, a children’s book reading area, and jugglers. It was also found that during the summer there are free movie screenings shown at the park and that this gets quite full on summer nights (Nicholas Desbiens). Summer movie showings at Bryant Park in May 2011
Photo by Jason Kuffer |
Jugglers at Bryant Park
Photo by Iain Howe Merry-Go-Round at Bryant Park
Photo by Iain Howe |
Chess players at Union Square
Photo by Iain Howe |
Music was the major form of entertainment that was found at the park. Union Square, Bryant, Washington Square, Thompkins Square and East River park. This was demonstrated with people playing many forms of instruments as well such as guitars, pianos, and drums. One of East River Park’s main attractions is the use of an amphitheater located in the park with many concerts, plays, dances and talks that are performed here (NYC Parks, 2012). Chess playing was also popular among the people of Union Square during our research, along with the various art vendors located on the sidewalk outside of the park.
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Sporting Activities
Organized Soccer Game- Image by Iain Howe
The Parks that myself and my research college Lindsay Jenson observed revealed some possible uses that parks offer up for New Yorkers to get outdoors and exercise. We observed basketball courts being used but also handball, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, swimming pools(none were filled, possibly too early in the season), Running tracks, playgrounds and also shuffleboard courts too. The many amenities provided at different parks make sure New Yorkers have plenty of opportunities to exercise and stay fit and healthy despite living in the most built up city in the world with limited green spaces.
These parks are also used by schools located in the city organized soccer games. The East River Park was being used by many people when we arrived there on our research day. There was a conditioning section of the park where there were bars for pull ups and push-ups there were quite a few men in using the facilities. This shows that the facilities are well used by the population of the city and this is good for the parks and recreation facility in New York as the facilities are obviously easily assessable and in kept in good condition so people who want to use the facilities can.
These parks are also used by schools located in the city organized soccer games. The East River Park was being used by many people when we arrived there on our research day. There was a conditioning section of the park where there were bars for pull ups and push-ups there were quite a few men in using the facilities. This shows that the facilities are well used by the population of the city and this is good for the parks and recreation facility in New York as the facilities are obviously easily assessable and in kept in good condition so people who want to use the facilities can.
Sources
Kuffer, Jason. "Bryant Park May Officially Allow Boozing During Movies." Gothamist. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://gothamist.com/2011/05/04/feel_free_to_continue_drinking_at_b.php>.
Nicholas Desbiens
Cover photos:
"Bryant Park. The Jewel in the Heart of Manhattan." Bryant Park: The Jewel in the Heart of Manhattan. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://www.wanderingnotlost.org/2012/04/bryant-park-the-jewel-in-the-heart-of-manhattan/>.
Siraisi, Marissa. "Photography by Marissa Siraisi : Photo Keywords : Baseball : East River Park Baseball Field | SmugMug." Photography by Marissa Siraisi : Photo Keywords : Baseball : East River Park Baseball Field. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://headhole.smugmug.com/keyword/baseball/1/79383439_s9hmb>.
Iain Howe
Kuffer, Jason. "Bryant Park May Officially Allow Boozing During Movies." Gothamist. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://gothamist.com/2011/05/04/feel_free_to_continue_drinking_at_b.php>.
Nicholas Desbiens
Cover photos:
"Bryant Park. The Jewel in the Heart of Manhattan." Bryant Park: The Jewel in the Heart of Manhattan. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://www.wanderingnotlost.org/2012/04/bryant-park-the-jewel-in-the-heart-of-manhattan/>.
Siraisi, Marissa. "Photography by Marissa Siraisi : Photo Keywords : Baseball : East River Park Baseball Field | SmugMug." Photography by Marissa Siraisi : Photo Keywords : Baseball : East River Park Baseball Field. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://headhole.smugmug.com/keyword/baseball/1/79383439_s9hmb>.
Iain Howe