Assignment 2

Gloria Grant is a 51-year-old Nurse in the Philadelphia area. After spending her life in the Bronx, for the past 14 years Grant has been a Philadelphia resident. Grant talked of how she spent a majority of her free time in park. "It's simply beautiful here...and it helps that it's right down the street from my house." The only complaints that Grant made of the park were the bums who sleep on the benches. "I'm a germaphobic, I don't want to even think of what I could be sitting in."

Gordan, pictured above, was very reluctant to give much information. He simply sat there, motionless, reading his book. "I came here today because it was nice out and I figured I could get some reading done. " Gordon went on to discuss also why he often steers away from this area. "The city has become a haven for children and dogs; it's no longer a city for adults."

Mark Griffin is a 49-year-old businessman who graduated from Penn State University. Almost 20 years ago, Griffin moved to the wonderful city of Philadelphia. When questioned about his visit to the park Griffin said, "Hey, it's February 1st...if you can do it, then you do it. I mean look at the weather. And it also helps that I can smoke out here." The only downside to the park that Griffin noted was the solicitation. "I know that they have all the right to be here, just like you and I, but still it gets to you after a while."

Don is a 54-year-old Resident of Philadelphia. After living in the city for over 25 years, he has become a frequent visitor to the Rittenhouse Area. On this particular occasion Don stopped for a few minutes to admire a hawk that he spotted in a tree above. "You may think I'm weird but I'm a huge nature buff. It's not everyday that you see something like this in Center City." Don also went on to say that the park was, " a little taste of nature in the city; it gets you away from the hustle and bustle of the business life." The only complaint that Don found with the park was the lack of cleanup for dog droppings on the lawn.

Fred Coots and Betsy the Bulldog are a couple like non-other; their happiness shines right through. Coots, 46 moved to Philadelphia for good on "April Fools" Day of 1990. "Me and Betsy go for a walk everyday at lunchtime. I just put her in the Pet-Limo, drive a few blocks(from 16th and Pine) and have fun in the park; there isn't a thing about this place that I don't like."

I stumbled upon 55-year-old Richard just sitting on a bench, gazing blindly ahead. After 12 years of living in the city, Richard said,"I always liked coming to this park; there's such a good cross-section of people." The main problem that Richard saw with the park was the dogs. "You see, people will bring their dogs here, they'll crap on the lawn, and eventually someone will lay or step in it; it's disguisting."

Mark Campana is a 50-year-old artist who has been residing in Philadelphia since he was born. On this particular day, Mark ventured out to Rittenhouse to finish work on his latest painting. "It's very nice here, it's a beautiful park." The only aspect that Campana dislikes about the park is the amount of crazies wandering around. "It's hard to do work when you constantly have people coming up to your face and asking you numerous questions." Shortly after having heard
that statment, I apologized for disturbing him.

Ellen Rossi is a 22-year-old Jean Madeline graduate. Today, Rossi was bringing lunch to her boyfriend who worked nearby. "I don't really like anything about this place anymore. I had a few bad experiences here so it's not often thatI'll even sit down; I guess today is an exception?"