We began our day by setting up emissions tests at our favorite spot at the Coney Island Exit of the East Loop Drive. This test will allow us to collect the particulates in the air, the pollutants released in car emissions. In order to this, we needed Vaseline, index cards, paper clips, and rubber bands; a very DIY version of emissions testing (EPA Rules? Ha!). First we poked a hole in the cards, using the paper clip, and made a chain by attaching more paper clips to each other, we then stuck a rubber band on to the end of the paper clip chain, so we could hang it. So here's the messy part, we then smear the Vaseline on to the card. It had to be a nice and thick layer, and my hands were so greasy I couldn't hold on to anything. Now as cars release pollutants, they will collect on the sticky Vaseline cards and eventually become so frequent, that the effect will be visible. We hung them on trees around the Loop Drive, near stoplights where cars idle, and we will examine them on Saturday.
We also learned how to use a cool new toy, called a Sound Pressure Level Meter, for measuring noise levels in decibels. It picks up noise levels and scales them in a range of 40 to 140 decibels. For reference, a whisper quiet library clocks in at 30 decibels, a subway train at 95 decibels, and a jet engine 100 feet away at 140 decibels. We each took turns using the reader to measure the noise of a car-free Prospect Park (before 5:00pm). We noted the data and saved it for the next part of the test. Scroll down for the rest of the test, and our results.
After that, we were let loose to run wild and harass the public. This was my second day of requesting signatures from strangers, so I wasn't nervous but I wasn't too confident either. I began my journey toward the Long Meadow by strolling the West Drive all the way there. I met a lot of mothers and babysitters along this side of the park. They all were friendly and ready to sign in the name of keeping the kids safe. Most of my day involved walking up and down hills and running across fields. Today, I felt good because everyone was ready to sign, and it made me feel good that people really care. I continued to trek up the road, until I reached the baseball fields which connect to the Long Meadow. So I began to cross, running back and forth, this way and that way, meeting park-goers and getting postcards signed. Those hills are tiring even for a track-star. I met a group of campers and their counselor, and with a bit of explaining I got most to sign. These were kids my age and younger, doing what they can to help the park, just like me.
Toward the end of the Long Meadow, near Grand Army Plaza, I met two people; both seemed to be parents, mother and father, with a young boy. Well, as I told them our plan, the man took my pen and signed a postcard, but the woman he was with said she didn't support a car-free park. Their conversation angered and interested me. It went something like this:
Man: Keeping cars out of the park will keep children and bikers safe.
Woman: Cars have been in the park for a long time. Cars and the park can coexist.
Man: But countless numbers of people have been hit by cars in the park.
Woman: If people know there are cars in the park, they shouldn't be careless. It is not the car's fault if they are careless.
Man: What if our boy got hit?
Woman: If people know there are cars in the park, they shouldn't be careless. It is not the car's fault if they are.
Honestly, I understand what she means and I do think that since there are cars in the park, you have to be aware. But to not even consider the inherent carelessness of children, or the recklessness of some drivers, along with her response to the question of her boy's safety; it all made me choke.
After that, I was finished with the meadow, and had run out of postcards, with 66 signed in my pocket. I took a well deserved brake and began to head back. The walk was relaxing, but I was a little upset when big group of people passed me because I had no more postcards. I made it back and told Jessie of my accomplishments, she handed me a few more cards and I was off. When I returned to Jessie I had 20 more, bringing my count to 86. Our total count today was 193 postcards!
When I returned, cars were flying by and the others were in the middle of decibel reading. As predicted, it's much nosier in the park after the cars come. We found that in a car-free park, our readings averaged 51 decibels, quieter than a normal conversation three feet away, while once the Loop Drive was open to car-traffic, decibel levels sky-rocketed to an average of 70 decibels, the noise level at which negative responses begin in the human nervous system. Thanks to Kym Wiley-Schwartz at The Open Planning Project for her help on this one.
In all today was a good day, a lot of sweat and a lot of postcards. As always, keep an eye out for us defending your park, and if you see us, come sign a postcard and say hello.
