Low: Chapter 5

Low: Chapter 5: Jacob Riis Park

Thesis:

            The budget of maintaining the park to accommodate people who use the park.

Summary:

            Jacob Riis Park has an interesting history. The man it was named after was a photographer and took pictures of the urban poor of New York City. He was a strong advocate of parks and recreational activities for the poor as stated in the chapter on page 102. The park is located in Queens, but closer to Brooklyn than most of Queens.

            At Jacob Riis Park people of different ethnicities visit and because of issues such as citizenship and language barriers it is difficult to ask for certain things. Also, the budget to maintain the park is too low to build indoor showers and changing rooms in the bath houses; to accommodate people better and to make sure it is in use.

            This chapter also explains the different people who occupy different areas of the park and beach. The Hispanics usually favor the picnic area. There is also a section of the beach where gays, African Americans and Italians occupy the beach. Some of the areas of the park are deteriorated, but are slowly being renovated.

Personal Reflection:

            I’ve never been to Jacob Riis Park, but always heard about it. From what I read it seems like a great way to picnic, tan and take a dip in the water. Since I have family that lives near Gateway I’ll probably visit sometime next summer.