Observation Journal Entries
Mumbai, India
(09/26/2020) Saturday, September 26: Site Journal Entries - Morning
Observation 1: 7:20 am to 8:50 am
Weather: 27-28 degrees, partly cloudy (feels like 31)
Pay Rupees 5 (CAD $0.09)
People 55 (Including groups)/ 92 (4 people questioned me what I am observing/interest and socialize)
+ Culture
* negative feature
+Use benches in close proximity (Even if they are strangers)
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+The benches are designed without backrest where one can sit in an indian pose (folded legs for exercise or yoga)
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Bench to create physical distance but still be able to socialise.
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+People come to the park alone but end up meeting someone they know (maybe from community or nearby neighbourhood) Sit/Walk/Talk
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*A very long ledge towards the end of the park is not used at all. It is located near the stream that runs behind the park. But the stream is polluted and smells hence the minimal use of this ledge. The material of the ledge is concrete which is worn off with time and weather, with mold/fungus growing and hence can not be used for seating. It's a shame you can not sit here and relax because it has a vegetative cover behind the ledge providing privacy and a secluded place in the park while listening to the gushing sound of water in the background.
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+The ground textures included Stone/tiles and grass lawn, where people would walk or exercise barefoot (a sense of comfort)
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*Water features in the park or a small pond with vegetation around creating a beautiful scene for the people present in the park but the water is not approachable. The people are not allowed to touch or go near it as it's more of a visual feature.
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​At the Small playground people were exercising, they came alone but started conversing in groups (possibly) at the same spot as they were doing the same activity. (Triangulation??)
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*There was a broken structure which was located near the heart of the park. This area has 2-3 huge steps where people can sit, gather and conduct classes for yoga or exercises. The shading structure is made of elastic fabric (tent like structure). This was broken and fallen down and made the entire space not usable. People wouldn't approach it simply because the fabric spread all over the seating space. The reason for the structure breaking off was an intense cloud burst that took place 3 days before this observation was recorded. But in between this time no one came to maintain or replace the structure. The reason behind this was also the poor maintenance of this structure as the metal parts were deteriorating with weather, as it had a lot of corrosion marks on it.
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*I was informed by a local person who visited the park everyday since last 20-30 years that the reason behind charging people to use the park even its so less it to maintain cleanliness and also there is a political reason with the municipal Corporation (politics)
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*The Amphitheatre is strongly integrated into the park’s circulation but is not used as it is not permitted by the general people to use the space. Only if you pay to organise events like performances the space can be booked on an earlier notice and payment. Again a political reason behind this action in regards to money.
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A gymnasium is also connected to the park’s circulation and provides an indoor space for people to exercise and perform activities. (I couldn't access it cause it was closed because of Covid)
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* The park has provision for a Cafe (Kinchen area with access to appliances) but is never functional or is used only when events are organised at the Amphitheatre.
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Another location of the park sold healthy food products on a daily basis before Covid, people would gather and meet, eat together after workout/spending time in the park and then go home.
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The total number of people who visited the park that day in the morning between 5-9 am is 92 out of which I observed 55 between the above time frame. The number of people who usually would visit the park in morning before Covid is 100+ (The cash counter gave me this info)
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Approx time spent in the park by an individual is 45 mins to 1 hour.
Objects in the park that were used apart from its sole purpose
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Two play structures in the park. 2 different sizes and has 2 different ground textures (mud/earth and soft mat surface). The area surprisinglydidnt have any children playing on them during my observation but had multiple adults use the space to exercise. The mat surface allowed them to sit and lay down to exercise as a group. Certain structures were used as tools for support and exercise/stretch etc.
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People also used steps in the park to exercise (stepping up and down) and sit, while other objects like railing and benches were also used as supports during the exercise like push ups etc.
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The park had a central space where most people met, rested, exercised, etc. A place like a plaza where you have a view of the rest of the park around you. The plaza had a central art sculpture that is located on a vegetated planter. The ledge of this sculpture was also used to stretch legs and exercise.
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Observation 2: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Weather: 28-29 degrees, partly cloudy (sunset at 6:31 pm)
Pay Rupees 5 (CAD $0.09)
People 86 (Including groups) (2 people questioned me what I am observing/interest and socialize)
+ Culture
* negative feature
A lot of people come to the park alone but meet them there. ( Maybe they belong to the same neighbourhood/community/relative??)
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Evening time the space was used more casually. People walked at a slower pace/ chatting with another person. As compared to the morning time
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A lot of people were also observed using their phones more towards the evening than morning time.
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The proximity between people walking or sitting together is very close. Between intimate and personal space interaction. Even when they didn't enter the park together.
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The broken tent structure was seen in use during the evening by 2-3 women as they sat in indian pose underneath the shade structure near the broken part which was approachable and safe.
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Again during the evening the play structure area was being used to exercise by adults.
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It was surprising even in the evening time there were no kids observed playing or even present in the park anywhere. (This could be with the concern of Covid spreading)
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The ground texture influences the behaviour of the people, as people were seeing walking barefoot again on the tiled portion of the park. (pathway)
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The stairs were in use by multiple people, a place to rest, sit and talk in groups and exercise.
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Groups mostly would gather around the central plaza space or the central sculpture next to the water feature. The seating near the water is used most of the time or preferred by people.
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One person was observed twice, during the morning as well as the evening doing similar activities.
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The gender distribution between morning and evening were different. Morning was dominated by the male users while the evening was dominated by women. Also there was an increase in the number of groups using the space during the evening, nearly by two fold.
Sudbury, Canada
(09/23/2020) Wednesday, September 23: Site Journal Entries - Morning
Observation 1: 7h52 am to 9 am
It is cold that early and the flow of the people in the park is quite sparse
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The bushes and the crown of trees around the park seems to have a lot of nests as the main thing that you can hear are the birds singing, it creates a peaceful and serene environment. (Aesthetic and rich sensory experience Jan Gehl 12 principles).
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The sun still being quite low creates shimmering shapes of the trees on the ground. The bushes creates shadows that covers one of the main path (SE-NE) which lessen the traffic in the path
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The main traffic flow is engaged in the Northern part of the park.
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The ratio hardscape vs softscape is unbalanced, about 80% of the park is softscape and 20% hardscape.
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The hardscape is mainly situated in the NE area which also is the most occupied area.
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As a neighborhood park there aren't a lot of people in the weekday as people are potentially at work and the kids at school
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The benches that are placed in the middle of the park are not really used, only the ones near the building are used.
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Movement, the main activities that are done are transitory activities like walking the dog or jogging type of clothing, to the pace. (necessary activities)
Observation 2: 17h30 pm to 19h pm
In the afternoon, the place is way warmer than the morning however it is still a pleasant temperature (humidex condition diagram) .
Because of the positions of the trees most of the shadows are mainly casted outside of the park or circulation paths
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The park changes dynamic compared to the morning as adults are back from work and kids are back from school.
There are way more kids than adults because of the presence of the play structure (statistics adults to kids graphs from the table).
The integration of two play structures gives the options for multiple kids to play and especially allows for parents and kids to do so (Learn and play principle). It also bring encounters between families (highlight matrix 2 kids play)
The central area with the three tennis court was used by one couple, the park gives variety in terms of exercising (like one of Jan Gehl's principle there is an invitation to play, recreation and interaction)
In terms of sitting, things are not optimal, there are not a lot of sitting and people tend to reinterpret ways of sitting to accommodate to their comfort, for instance we can witness a perfect example of the prospect refuge theory with the bench situated in the middle (Show map zoomed amenities diagram the openness and views) almost no one used it because of the openness and the elevation change there is between where it's situated and where it's pointing toward (quick sectional diagram)
What is really working on the other side of the spectrum of sitting spaces are the benches that are against the community building, the create an edge and protection in the back and point towards the park in a slightly elevated position (statistics of most used benches).
One very interesting bench inform also on the aspect of privacy in a public setting
How close people are or people sitting alone
However what makes the park successful in term of its usage is the fact that overall it proposes at least 10 different activities (matrix highlight) which is proven by the association project for public spaces through the concept of the power of 10+
Sudbury, Canada
(09/23/2020) Wednesday, September 23: Site Journal Entries - Morning
8:52am - Group F5 (Mother, Grandmother, and three kids - two boys one girl) return from their walk. The kids raced through the trees, up the hill and into the play structure while the adults took the path and bridge around leading to the park.
The kids were called a couple times to come back and not play on the farther swings (out of the field of view of the parent).
Once one of the kids had migrated to the swings it wasn't long before all of the children to head in the same direction. Soon even the parents were on the swings.
While the activity of the children included running, swinging, chasing and in general more dynamic activities, the parents watched and took photos.
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7:45am - A flock of about 25 Canadian geese congregated on the open grass enjoying the morning sun.
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7:50am - From the top path a man and his dog (same pair also seen at earlier visit to memorial park *homeless) the dog came loose from his leash, immediately dashing for the geese.
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7:50am - The golden retriever chases the geese across the lawn towards a group of 5 on the boardwalk path. the group brace for the excitement and also slightly crouch in a stance ready to help guide the dog back to the owner. The dog eventually runs back and the group wave and moves on.
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9:20am - L2 Family, Mom and baby use the front swing past the bridge and in view of the boardwalk. This attracts lots of smiles and looks from passersby.
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9:30am - Mom and just walking toddler explore all across the park, venturing out to the swings, up onto the bridge, and across the play structure. This was one of the first interactive examples and explorations of the site's accessibility.
The playground is very dynamic in its topography. sitting almost within this amphitheater mounds and retaining walls circles the play structure in a crescent to one side while the bridge and another vegetated slope come across the front. Despite this, toddlers, strollers, and wheelchairs move all around the site which offers graded access to ground level and bridges onto the structure from both sides.
In general the greater site is also very accessible with pathways leading straight from all entry roads, streets, and parking. While inside the park the main arrangement consists of 3 pathways running parallel to the water and spaced 10 - 15 m apart, regardless, a series of connecting paths between the three offer free movement across the site with minimal to no steps.
Some areas prove problematic such as the ledge between the beach boardwalk path and the grass slope which sits about 2 feet higher, small enough for most to hop down or even play on and enjoy, but also tall enough that an elderly caught enjoying the greenspace must walk around to where the path levels out.
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9:34am - child says "good morning" to strangers and breaks the ice for the adults to smile and converse. (boardwalk).
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9:35am - Child and dad pull out a bucket of toys and shovels and choose the quiet beach over the crowded play structure. (dad doesn't miss the moment and takes pics of his son enjoying the sand).
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9:45 - 10:00am - two elderly lady's snag a picnic table in between the trees where the sun breaks through and there is a view. They eat their breakfast and sip their coffee more interested in each other's company and conversation than the now alive park around them.
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9:57am - baby and mom are joined by grandma and toddler at the park, this sparks a moment of interaction within the park tunnel.
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10:06am - Bridge path, Male and Female adults conversing in Arabic, drinking coffee and walking their dogs.
additional observations / synthesis:
The site is sloped with integrated ledges and paths .
there is a long ledge / retaining wall that follows the boardwalk path. it is approximately 40 cm high and is deep as it matches the grade of the grass. the ledge grows into a wall as you move down the path but stone / concrete slabs stick out to continue the option of seating.
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The ledge is used in a variety of ways from seating to different forms of movement across and along it. Several times kids or younger individuals would balance along the top walking down the path or jump down or up onto the grass as they moved between the beach and lawn areas.
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The ledge also works as a material transition between the cobblestone boardwalk path and the grass.
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*The site has one main water feature, the lake. It is a great source of attraction and is used for photos, swimming, kayaking, boating, and other unobserved activities informed by the seasons.
The park is roughly 1/3 paths and hardscapes (cobblestone paths, gravel path, and gravel playground surface) and 2/3 softscape (including grass, beach)
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The uses of the space based on textural zones differs during the time of day, with a constant transitory use of the hardscape pathways (including beach path), and a increase in use of the grass and sand (beach) zones as the day goes on and once the dew is no longer on the grass.
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(09/23/2020) Wednesday, September 23: Site Journal Entries - Evening
5:00pm - there are currently 13 people who are using the space (beyond walking through the park).
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5:00pm - C3 family, full set up on the front grass section, including chairs, drums, blankets and swimsuit / beach gear (family beach day).
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5:13pm - E uses a heavy blanket to cushion metal park bench seating.
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5:20pm - 22 people in space.
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5:24pm - H2 carry their pet cats around the park and enjoy the background greenery for several photo options.
H2 moves from boardwalk and beach photoshoot to diffuse sunlit c1 path.
A (who is sitting nearby on a blanket) comments and compliments "your eyes are very beautiful" - cat of H and dog of A keep the conversation short.
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5:33pm - Dad and girls enjoy the last swim of summer.
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5:37pm - J3 change with towel mid park into swimsuits.
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5:39pm - C3 change, pack up, but enjoy land activities of frisbee and tag on the grass and around the play structure before leaving.
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5:40pm - J3 runs barefoot (a cross-section of all of the textures) from the grass, cobble path, sand and down to the water's edge, (the water is too cold).
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5:50pm - three kids race across the waters edge chasing the seagulls, mom doesn't like that.
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5:53pm - J3 mom ventures to the beach, she uses her phone to photograph the action.
The playground is an amphitheater full of action, the kids run and the parents watch from the hill.
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6:00pm C3 runs from playground to beach to playground.
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6:00pm - 14 in space.
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6:10pm - A plays music from her phone out loud.
center bridge path small gravel is not pleasant on bare feet.
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6:20pm - the sun dips behind the trees and this is the pack up call for the majority of those using the space.
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6:28pm - seadoo "performs" for the watchers
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6:29pm - 12 people in space
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6:37pm - 3 people in space
People would often reinterpret ways of sitting on site features, including the metal park benches. The park benches are short, have arms at the ends, and holes to keep it cold. people would bring blankets to sit on the benches for either warmth or comfort as well as sit on them in different ways. (all benches were also stationary, unlike whytes suggestion)
The majority of morning activities mainly appeared to be necessary activities of exercising , by walking, jogging, and cycling where as the evening activities demonstrated more optional activities with more people on their phones, more use of the space for longer periods of time, groups of friends, and people enjoying more recreational activities such as football, frisbee, and tag.
While the majority of park benches were unused in the morning or seemed to be in odd locations (above the boardwalk path) during the evening, there was a larger use of the park benches located above the path where people sat to enjoy the view as well as the movement of others along the boardwalk path (prospect and refuge theory)
2 different locations of park swings generate different uses / reactions: while the ... (other forms of triangulation include any water activity (kayakers, boaters, and skidoos which generate attention from those on the beach).
In the evening a large diversity of individuals from a full spectrum of ages however majority children, and elderly, as well as a greater variety of ethnicities including asian, french, indian, italian, and others.. (a good park will demonstrate a full representation of the city).