Today was an interesting and fully packed first day to the course. I was happy to see so many sites and we were lucky that the weather cooperated.
Since our starting point was the East River esplande, I was able to see great views walking from the Wall Street subway station down towards the water. I really enjoyed walking down Seaport and hearing about it from someone so involved with the project. This made me excited to come back to New York to check out the subsequent phases. I think this would be the ideal place to sunbathe in New York. :)
Walking through SoHo, we ended up at the site of "Time Landscape." Although I was a little disappointed that the landscape didn't look very different from other street blocks with plots of grass, adjacent to "Time Landscape" was "Green Thumb," a really colorful and fun community garden project.
I really enjoyed Chelsea, both the market and the Highline. I was at the Highland about a year ago, but it was just as enjoyable this time around and since I walked the length of the park alone, I was able to really pay attention to the pockets of vegetation (softscape) tucked into the hardscape.
Times Square probably the least interesting part of the day for me, only because of the crowds and the fact that I find it's true glamour to come out at night, when the lights seem really bright. However, it has been interesting to see Times Square evolve over the past few years-- once an area heavily containing dense traffic!
Arriving next at Bryant Park, I was happy to see how lively the park was, even on a Monday afternoon. People were cooling off from the heat, eating lunch, and admiring the fountain. Filled with so many people tanning, relaxing, and chatting, it kind of reminded me of Mont Royal on a Sunday-- minus the tam tams. I also found it fascinating that below the park lie library stacks.
My favourite part of today was probably Payley Park, with its waterfall wall and ivy growing against brick. The intimate nature and small scale of the park really made it seem as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city but also as a nice place to be social with those close to you. I think the park would be really enjoyable on a summer night, when the lights from the waterfall wall really add to the atmosphere of the space. It was also really interesting to learn about the history of the site and the fact that it was a club during the 1920s. This really makes me want to see the park when dark, so hopefully I will get a chance to venture back after class one day later this week.
Roosevelt Island was an equally enjoyable space, and I was really intrigued to see the park I had been reading about for the site documentation assignment close up. The clean lines of the "room" at Four Freedoms park made the space seem grandeur and quite fitting for the reflection and contemplation intended. The dull sound of crashing waves and the view of water aided in providing an atmosphere fit for this kind of thinking.
Day 1 provided a very diverse and informative introduction to the course and I am excited to see what tomorrow will bring!
Since our starting point was the East River esplande, I was able to see great views walking from the Wall Street subway station down towards the water. I really enjoyed walking down Seaport and hearing about it from someone so involved with the project. This made me excited to come back to New York to check out the subsequent phases. I think this would be the ideal place to sunbathe in New York. :)
Walking through SoHo, we ended up at the site of "Time Landscape." Although I was a little disappointed that the landscape didn't look very different from other street blocks with plots of grass, adjacent to "Time Landscape" was "Green Thumb," a really colorful and fun community garden project.
I really enjoyed Chelsea, both the market and the Highline. I was at the Highland about a year ago, but it was just as enjoyable this time around and since I walked the length of the park alone, I was able to really pay attention to the pockets of vegetation (softscape) tucked into the hardscape.
Times Square probably the least interesting part of the day for me, only because of the crowds and the fact that I find it's true glamour to come out at night, when the lights seem really bright. However, it has been interesting to see Times Square evolve over the past few years-- once an area heavily containing dense traffic!
Arriving next at Bryant Park, I was happy to see how lively the park was, even on a Monday afternoon. People were cooling off from the heat, eating lunch, and admiring the fountain. Filled with so many people tanning, relaxing, and chatting, it kind of reminded me of Mont Royal on a Sunday-- minus the tam tams. I also found it fascinating that below the park lie library stacks.
My favourite part of today was probably Payley Park, with its waterfall wall and ivy growing against brick. The intimate nature and small scale of the park really made it seem as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city but also as a nice place to be social with those close to you. I think the park would be really enjoyable on a summer night, when the lights from the waterfall wall really add to the atmosphere of the space. It was also really interesting to learn about the history of the site and the fact that it was a club during the 1920s. This really makes me want to see the park when dark, so hopefully I will get a chance to venture back after class one day later this week.
Roosevelt Island was an equally enjoyable space, and I was really intrigued to see the park I had been reading about for the site documentation assignment close up. The clean lines of the "room" at Four Freedoms park made the space seem grandeur and quite fitting for the reflection and contemplation intended. The dull sound of crashing waves and the view of water aided in providing an atmosphere fit for this kind of thinking.
Day 1 provided a very diverse and informative introduction to the course and I am excited to see what tomorrow will bring!
