Criteria for Reading Landscape

In Criteria for a Healthy Landscape Paul Groth challenges us to study landscape in specific ways. He uses 7 guidelines for reading and understanding the landscape we live amongst. I found it easy to relate his criteria for a Healthy Landscape to one of my favorite places to go. Howarth Park has numerous attributes that have drawn me there for years. Now having used these criteria to study Howarth Park in a different way I see it from other angles that were always there just never noticed.

Howarth Park for me is a place to release tension and stress, a place to exercise, and a place to get fresh air. One of Paul Groths criteria is to realize the physical and physiological ways a landscape affects us. Howarth Park does this in many ways although the individual must be willing to engage this activity. Another way his criteria are spelled out is how we connect with social groups. I have been able to connect with friends, family, co-workers, and even strangers each time I visit Howarth Park. A long walk with my sisters talking about how to plan my wedding ceremony, or watching my children run around and play peek-a-boo in the play structure. Four years ago I met a stranger there, a mother of 4 children, 3 of them type one diabetics. She met me there as a newly diagnosed diabetic mother, why, to offer support, strength, advice and love all to someone she never met. We now have a loving friendship that all started at the playground of Howarth Park, and now my son has friends that he can share is experience of diabetes with. There is no social ladder to go there, there is no money required, just the yearning for fun, activity, and nature.

His third criterion for a healthy landscape involves removing yourself from chaos. I cannot think of a better place to do this exact thing. It can be quiet, serene, and peaceful, I can always count on the ability to walk around the lake and think, to me that is the ultimate. Paul Groth explains that a healthy landscape allows flexibility, spontaneity, and diversity. This was easy to relate, I rarely visit there without running into an old friend, past teacher, friends of my children, even family members! All types gravitate here especially during beautiful weather. Flexibility means it fits you, and this place offers so many different ways to make you happy.

I have connected to outsiders through the numerous fundraising events I attend every year here. The Heart walk, The Human Race, and many other social groups meet here, it is a sacred and serine place to share common goals. At least 90% of the people I see here smile and say hello, which is connecting with outsiders.

Nature must be healthy criteria; you cannot get closer to nature in any city than here. The birds, the water, the trees, it is beautiful and fresh every time I go. The fact that many people frequent this park simply shows their love for it. People thrive and allow themselves to enjoy this public space, I think it is a gift even now writing about it I realize how much it can offer.

In my own experience Paul’s criteria relates to my Kmart experience through his criteria #1. Kmart in my opinion allows those on a budget to afford means of survival. Food, clothing and other necessities are offered at Kmart at a discount, many people these days depend on this.