October 11

Suwanee Park Final

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Suwanee Park is in the shape of an oval, like an island . There are more people taking up the space on the curvy, concrete sidewalks than the wide, luscious, green fields. The sidewalks runs along and cuts through the park. There are also sculptures and art pieces are scattered on the sides of the park, such as the white cutouts of dog silhouettes and a rusty, deformed, metal fragment from one of the twin towers. The fields vary in different sizes, but the biggest one is about half the size of a football field. Each field has at least three trees. There is a stage on one side of the park for events and performances and about 15 wide rows made out of grass. The stage is also entirely made out of concrete, with a black metal roof has 4 black metal bars parallel and mini criss-crosses between to support it. Facing the stage, there is a line of restaurants on the left side of the park just across the street that varies from American and Italian dining and stores for dessert.

The sidewalks allows people to walk their dogs, and ride their bikes, scooters, skateboards. The purpose of the sidewalk running through the park is designed for the people to be able to gaze at the park’s beauty from every angle. The statues and art pieces fills the park with more entertainment and color. People can marvel at them and actually learn a few facts about them since most sculptures has a labeling of it’s name and description about it. The trees in the field allows occupants to sit under them and have a picnic, otherwise they are usually occupied by athletes and man and best friend running around playing sport. The stage is there for events and performances, pairing perfectly with the wide rows of grass for the occupants to lay their blankets or spread their legs while they sit and watch the show. The restaurants are located in a perfect spot to attract people. Even from the park, anyone can see a picture of frozen yogurt that screams “Eat me! I’m delicious!” pasted on the window of Yogli Mogli. The window is similar to the size of our classroom whiteboard. The picture is irresistible for children. A chubby white child babbles, tugs on his caregiver’s shirt and points at the picture, wanting to eat it. And even from afar, anyone can smell the mouthwatering smell of smoked BBQ wafting in the air.

Diversity spreads around the park, everyone from different races and different ethnicities. Most of are never alone. They come in groups of at least 2, family or friends. A pale korean woman with light brown hair that stops at the length of her shoulders looked young enough to pass for a 20 year old is holding a white maltese that was almost the size of a roll of toilet paper, while having her fingers laced with her fiance’s or husband’s–they both had rings and had addressed each other as “honey” in korean. Walking on the sidewalk is a girl with a familiar face. Her stature was tall–about 5’7. Her dark brown hair is no longer in the bun or pushed backed with the headband she always kept. Instead, it is straight, loose, parted in the middle and down past an inch of her shoulders. Her skin is the color of milk chocolate. Her style is now intimidating as she wear a black leather jacket, black jeans and white high top vans, but still make-up free. Her friends walk beside her on both of her sides. Upon observing other groups of occupants, it came to realization that they all had something in common. Almost every single person wore a smile. They were enjoying themselves or the company of others, whether they were strangers or not.

One of the main reasons occupants gathered here was for the community. People can easily bond and interact with other people since this is a family friendly environment, or so says my interviewee, Jean Yang. She comments that this space is occupied with friendly people and that she usually comes to enjoy the park with her family and friends. Suwanee Park is also local, making visitation effortless.


Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved.

Posted October 11, 2016 by epark33 in category Final Spatial Ethnography Report

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