![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/norwichhumanities\/files\/2010\/09\/London-3-335.jpg\")
<\/a>St. James Park (Personal Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Probably because I get a little claustrophobic in cities, my visits to parks have definitely been some of the highlights of my time in London.\u00a0 I enjoyed the sense of space, the people watching, and the sheer beauty of much of the landscaping.\u00a0 However, I did pick up on a certain artificiality throughout London’s Green space.<\/p>\n
First of all, the lakes, which are in most cases absolutely beautiful, provide variety in scenery, are home to so many (sometimes exotic looking) species of birds, and they also provide a fun and novel activity for those who choose to rent paddle boats.\u00a0 In St. James Park, the bridge in the middle of the long, central pond is carefully positioned so that visitors can view Buckingham Palace in one direction and the London Eye in the other.\u00a0 The sheer overcrowding of the birds (and their excrement), especially in St. James Park makes me slightly uncomfortable.\u00a0 It seems as though London attempts to make up for the obvious lack of wildlife in the rest of its urban environment by crowding high quantities into small, carefully designated areas. \u00a0 In the “wetlands” area in Regent’s Park, I noticed a rat basking by the water’s edge along side the usual variety of birds.\u00a0 It goes to show I think, that it is impossible to completely keep out the less picturesque aspects of the city.<\/p>\n
The gardens that I visited, and especially those in Regents Park\u00a0 were absolutely beautiful.\u00a0 Signs pointed out over twenty different species of roses, and everyone who I saw seemed to walk through slowly.\u00a0 However, when I reflected on how often the grass must be cut, to keep it that short and the precise patterns in which the plants were arranged, the set up seemed more like a human achievement than natural beauty.\u00a0 Hours of work daily clearly go in to maintaining the gardens.<\/p>\n
Playgrounds in London’s parks also seemed equally controlled .\u00a0 Every playground that I have seen so far is fenced in, and most do not allow people in unless they have children with them.\u00a0 These playgrounds, which are often large and colorful, must be a welcome refuge to parents who live in the city and are accustomed to having to constantly watch their children in all public places.\u00a0 They definitely reinforce my impression that London makes it a priority to provide leisure space, but only carefully controlled leisure space.<\/p>\n
That said, anyone is free to walk into the vast majority of London’s parks.\u00a0 People from all walks of life go there, though it is not a place to interact with strangers.\u00a0 It is socially acceptable to be alone, with large groups of friends or family, or anything in between.\u00a0 In many there is enough space to talk loudly, but I was able to find somewhere quiet in Regents Park to sit and read a book.\u00a0 Maybe all of the control allows for a greater sense of freedom.<\/p>\n