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.