My area of inquiry is West Bay Park. This open patch of grass with picnic tables west of downtown is frequented by multiple Olympians. It has access to a beach, and you can also view the marina across the bay. The open field of grass is cluttered with daisies and dandelions, giving the park a nice ‘at ease’ feel. Dog walkers, couples, families, and groups of friends come in and out of the park to enjoy all it has to offer. It’s right next to a huge residential section of Olympia and is easily accessible from downtown, so there’s no question to it’s popularity.
I am drawn to this area because of my natural attraction to parks and beaches. Upon noticing the park with a friend as we drove past, I noticed how much could be observed within and around the park. I could observe marine, terrestrial, and urbanized landscapes. I was especially interested in reflecting on residential areas and how they will be affected by the raising sea level, and also how people treat public park areas.
