Ethnographic research at a local park in Hong Kong

"Park," as defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, embodies the concept of a "third place," facilitating a spectrum of potential social interactions. These spaces serve as an intermediary zone between the home (the 'first' place) and the workplace (the 'second' place). Parks are characterized as versatile and intricate environments where the exchange of ideas, social engagement, and the nurturing of relationships occur.

To analyze the park, I spent time immersing myself in the activities and interactions of park visitors, documenting my findings through field notes. This helped me understand how people used the space and what stakeholders are connected through the space. Here's how I did it:

• When: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• How Long: 1 hour each time
• How Often: 5 times in a month

During the research phase, it was fascinating to notice that each observation session presented a unique aspect of the park. It was intriguing to witness the diverse dimensions of Tai Wan Shan brought to life by the creative flair of local visitors. To streamline my findings, I organized all my notes into a table, detailing the types of activities, their frequency, and the specific locations within the park.

This is a particularly refreshing experience for me, rather than doing research in the usual way (interviewing, online research, lab study), there's still, significant unexpectedness in the park that you can find from pure observation. A trash can has the potential to become an object in a baseball game under the hand of a group of kids, isn't that inspiring at all?