FIELD OBSERVATION

Publicness: Devou Park

In a search for publicness, I sought a place that excludes few people, offers exposure to nature, and provides rest. Devou Park in Northern Kentucky is that place for me. Walking along the pathways I could feel the sun on my skin as it filtered through the treetops, hear the breeze in the leaves, and witness strangers enjoying a run or reading a book on a bench. All around me, greenery reached up to meet the bluest sky with little interruption by manmade structures. Many of the benches were made of flat stones stacked to a comfortable height, and picnic tables were painted green in an attempt to blend with the surroundings. I found a tree that was the perfect shape to lounge under and quietly observed everything around me. It was a very peaceful experience that allowed me to take a breath and pause from life’s busyness. Most people around me I believe were there for similar reasons, and that is what draws us all to parks from time to time.

Natural environments help us to destress and feel at peace because they are so drastically different from the inorganic structures and artificial light we spend our days in. At Devou, there are spaces that foster community such as the amphitheater and playground, as well as picnic tables and benches for 1-2 people. The vast program of the park in addition to its publicness allows for anyone and everyone to immerse their senses and find respite at most times of the year.

When collaging my experience, I wanted to focus on the spaces for respite within the park and how serenity is created by nature with human help. The proximity to an urban environment is highlighted, and the lattice structure symbolizes the possibility for natural growth among it. Blue and green are natural and calm colors duotoned to emphasize how I felt in the place.