The Ellis Island Bridge Proposal

Ellis Island historically is the site of immigrant entry into the United States. All hopeful immigrants looking for a better life in the United States passed through Ellis Island. Because most of the inhabitants of the United States are immigrates, or decendents of immigrants Ellis Island is a historical site for them. As the chapter explains Ellis Island is a jointly owned by New York and New Jersey and it sits in the harbor where it is 400 meters from the shore of Liberty State Park. After its official closing and period of abandonment it began to be resorted as a National Treasure. In that time frame a bridge was constructed, however it was only used for construction workers and personal only. The question that is posed in this chapter is if the bridge should be accessible to the public?

A REAP study was conducted and constituency groups were formed. The workers in Battery Park and The Circle line were not in favor of the bridge. Their main reason was because of the loss of revenue from tourist. On the contrary, those whom were apart of the Liberty State Park Constituency group had mixed feelings of the bridge. One interviewee whom is a school teacher "thought it was an excellent idea"(pg.86) Their favor of the bridge was mostly due to the increase access to Ellis Island. While workers of Liberty State Park had some concerns about the increase in crowds and what that would do to the environment. " They feared it would create more litter"(pg 86). Others thought that the bridge would just create more traffic as well as an increase in taxes.

Regardless of the feelings of the bridge being accessible to the public the main concern here is money. While some individuals whom were interviewed were concerned with losing money others were concerned with having to pay more in taxes. If Ellis Island is a historical tourist attraction it should then be accessible to the public. And while it is more realistic taking a boat to the island, by having a bridge more individuals would be able to visit the island. With that said, I think that the Ellis Island bridge is a good idea. Because it will give people access to a historical site.

Prospect Park

In this chapter the author is trying to get us to understand that their is a quality in Prospect Park that is worth preserving. She describes the park as the "last forest in brooklyn"(pg.38) And so their is ethnographic research that is conducted to find out who uses the park and why. Throughout the interviews that were conducted in the park. Researchers found that people use the park for many different reasons. Some of those reasons being "relaxation/tranquil, enjoying of wildlife, an escape from the city life and place to spend time"(pg.52) These reasons for being in the park were different amongst ethnicities and educational levels. For instance those whom enjoyed the wildlife were common amongst "bird watchers and those whom feed the ducks"(pg.50) On the east side of the park there is more cultural activites that take place. These events in comparison to everyday usage of the park discussed earlier involved specifically West Indian Immigrants. It is here where Hatian Immigrants hold concerts and festivals. On sundays there are drummers who come out and use the space of the park to drum and entertain the people.The call this area drummers grove. These people being African American and West Indian called this drumming event a " cultural tie to the park"(pg 56).

Another usage of Prospect Park is picnicking and barbecuing, this is also familiar to African Americans and Hispanics. And like the drummers there is a place that is designated for that as well. Families come from all around Brooklyn to do a number of things. This includes " eating, taking walks, listening to music playing ball and fishing"(pg. 57)

Whatever the space is used the research conducted in this park shows a clear distinction as to whom is using the park and what they are using it for. "Afro-Caribean music and dance were common amongst blacks, picnics were common amongst all people of color while whites who were shown to have higher incomes and educational levels used the park as a place to escape and relax" (pg. 64).

Prospect park seems to be a diverse cultural meeting place, regardless as to what it is being used for. It is somewhat disappointing that people of different race and ethnicities cannot blend and become apart of the different activites that go on in the park. It seems as if each group of people stay with their own kind. I think it is important to do research like this because of what it provides us. Such information as who takes advantage of public space such as Prospect park and what they are utilizing it for gives us information as to how people use their spare time. It also gives information on how people relax and what they find enjoying.