Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons^™

Parks As Places Of Public Solace: The Perception Of Parks After 9/11, Ryan Hammond

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper investigates the utilization and public perception of parks in New York City following the 9/11 attacks, using a quantitative content analysis of local newspapers published within a year of the attack, specifically looking for themes indicating how parks were perceived and used. My preliminary findings indicate that parks were frequently used for large gatherings and memorials, that people found solace in the parks themselves, and that communities either formed or strengthened through use of parks following the attacks. In conclusion, the creation and promotion of large common green areas in urban spaces may serve as a means of …