Rapid Ethnographic Assessment Procedure for Jacob Riis Park, Final Report
Low, Ph.D SM, Scheld S, Taplin D, Honey L. 2000. Rapid Ethnographic Assessment Procedure for Jacob Riis Park, Final Report. Public Space Research Group, Center for Human Environments, Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY). New York, NY
The intent of Rapid Ethnographic Assessment Procedures (REAP) is to provide ethnographic information on local populations in order to "evaluate alternatives and assess planning impacts on ethnographic resources and associated user groups" (NPS-28 draft, p. 196). Ethnography is concerned with the peoples associated with parks, with their cultural systems or ways of life, and with the related sites, structures, material features, and natural resources. Cultural systems include expressive elements that celebrate or record significant events and many carry considerable symbolic and emotional importance for local cultural groups (NPS-28, p. 165.) Jacob A. Riis Park, Gateway National Recreation Area, is currently undertaking a series of renovations and considering the redesign of various areas of the beach and picnic areas. This REAP, therefore, is designed to provide a general overview of park-associated cultural groups, including an analysis of their concerns and the identification of cultural and natural resources used by and/or culturally meaningful to the various groups. The information gathered by the REAP will assist managers in evaluating alternatives and requests for access, as well as in assessing potential impacts on the cultural systems of local populations of changes in park design, use and programs.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Low, Ph.D, Setha; Scheld, Suzanne; Taplin, Dana; Honey, Larisa
- Date of Issue
- 2000-08-30
- Publisher
- Public Space Research Group, Center for Human Environments, Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY)
- Units
- GATE , NER
- Keywords
- Community Involvement, Ethnology, Park Management, Park Resources, Queens (NY), Visitor Resources, Visitor Use