When asked to think about a park, a few things instantly come to mind; there is a natural component, sometimes a playground, but most importantly the presence of a younger audience. This summer I had the opportunity to intern at Pease Park Conservancy as a Communications and Outreach Intern. Part of the job included helping out with park events and interacting with people. Although most of the interactions I made were with adults, I can assure you that the most memorable ones were with the kids of Pease Park.
Serving as a hub for youth engagement, offering activities like kids' yoga and puppet-making workshops that foster both play and growth, Pease Park Conservancy reinforces the idea and the importance of the outdoors for youth. Through its 4 pillars; wellness, art, conservation, and learning, it has become a kids' wonderland where curiosity and well-being are only enhanced.
I wanted to understand how the youth of Pease Park experience this greenspace so I began seeking input directly from the audience most connected with the topic: the kids at Pease Park. I had the opportunity to attend one of the park’s kid-oriented events, Kids Yoga, where I met instructor Cynthia Aguillón Bernard, also known as ATX Yoga Girl, and her brave audience of kids. During my time there, I interviewed several young minds. Their upfront honesty made our encounters uniquely engaging, although the oddity was more on my side than theirs. They showed an eagerness to talk unlike any other group I’ve encountered, taking the lead in conversation and making my job not only easier but more interesting.
PPCI: Why did you come to spend some time outside today?
Luca (8 years old): “This is me being kind to myself my mom says and i think so too”
Viviana (5 years old): “ I like to explore outside and this park is so big and it has so many plants”
One or two children did respond with the phrase "Because my mom tells me so". Interestingly, though, most of them discovered a sense of wonder and well-being when they were outside, even though at first it was just because our mother told them there was no other choice.
Building on this supportive environment, Joan Klasson granted me the privilege of following up these interviews with her very own puppet makers during one of the many puppet workshops she leads at Pease Park. The Small Wonders Puppet workshop proved to be invaluable for my research, playing an essential role. Additionally, the kids' passion for expressing their thoughts made my job even easier.
PPCI: What was your favorite part about coming to the park today?
Madeline (13 years old): “I really like seeing the green of the park; it is very pretty and watching my brother away from his ipad is is funny to watch”
Nathaniel (10 years old): “I got to play Roblox in real life”
As he built his very own puppet, he described the process similar to dressing up his character—except this time, the character was himself, and the possibilities weren't limited by a screen. I believe it is essential for me to point out that Nathaniel is the brother Madeline mentioned.
PPCI: Why do you like Pease Park?
While for some it was their first time at the park, drawn by the attraction of a free event, others have been regulars for years, drawn back by the strong sense of community fostered through park events and the friendships formed here.
Woody (6 years old): “I always see my friends without inviting them”
Luca (8 years old): “They have a troll and he is my friend and they have a lot of stuff and oxygen”
Stuff also refers to the events the park hosts and they attend, his mom later explained. It quickly became clear that the younger generation took their fearlessness to a new level, as evidenced by our conversations.
It also appeared that parents of course have some role in advocating for their child's usage of time; such as when coming down to spending part of the day outside, asking if they had anything to say for the matter was only an essential part of the process.
Before starting my time here, I had simply assumed that Pease Park was chosen due to its simple proximity. While there are some factors in which such aspects play an essential role, it is not completely true nor the primary reason. The majority of the parents interviewed reside in Austin's surrounding areas, coming from Cedar Creek to Bastrop, and not necessarily within Austin City Limits. Despite the park being further away, they come to Pease Park for its active engagement towards a younger audience, especially the free-kid friendly activities. They emphasized the park's ability to strike a balance between kids and nature, which is increasingly recognized in today's technology-driven age.
As a result, a mutually beneficial relationship between the kids who attend and the park itself is established, or I have come to learn. I continue to be amazed by their enthusiasm for embracing the outdoors, regardless of the pervasive influence of technology in their lives. When children are provided with the necessary tools to thrive, they not only flourish but also plant seeds in unexpected places as they taught me.
I want to give a special thank you to the families who allowed me to interview their kids and share their thoughts with me. Without their contribution, this project would not have been possible.
Want to attend the events mentioned? Pease Park Conservancy offers a diverse array of year-round, kid-friendly activities! Click here to explore our upcoming programming and events calendar at the park.