OPEN SPACES

Photo Taken by Kimara Dyer                         -Peebles Park, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica

In 1928, Captain Peebles, Chief of Police and at times Acting Administrator, aimed at developing a small park for the establishment of a monument as a memorial to those who had died in the First World War.  This was created out of an abandoned lot of land where the planting of flowering trees and the placement of benches created an open space to accommodate the public combining the memorial meaning with a space for open communal interaction. In the Caribbean, elements such as monuments with a historic meaning to the island are commonly used as the centre to bring togetherness among citizens. As a result, Captain Peebles contributed to the design of the urban city with the inclusion of a space for recreation.

The architectural design of the park integrated a wide open space with concrete benches. These benches are simple with no backs but large enough to seat four people. They are located on either side of the trees to give shade from the sun. Towards the north of the Park, there stands a gazebo.  The structure is shaped like a hut with a cone shaped galvanized roofing and a circular bottom and an open space configuration. The layout is painted in white and green to blend in with the natural environment.

Peebles Park is a popular recreational space bordering the city of Roseau in close proximity to the coast. Located on Victoria Street, the space is open to the public. The purpose of the space has evolved over the years as it is utilized in a number of different ways. After a long Saturday morning walk in the streets of Roseau in the hot sun while running errands, one tends to come here to sit under the trees and take in the cool breeze from the nearby sea. Others use the space to eat and mingle with friends. As seen in the photo, homeless people utilize the area to do the same.

Though the photo shows a homeless person on the sidewalk, they also occupy the interior of the space. The Peebles Park is a space where homeless people often separate themselves away from the harsh reality of the urban city.  On a wider scale, business companies use the area for charity events, fundraisers, as well as, children fun days. During the independence season, cultural dances take place within the circular interior and are a part of the independence festivities. There is no discrimination in this public space; it is open to all, the rich, poor, young and old.

A growing concern in urbanism addressed in the articles by Hou, 2010 and Olmsted, 1870 is the increase in the population density within the urban space and the availability of areas for the sole purpose for relaxation. Though the park provides recreation for the contemporary population, soon these parks will be undersized to accommodate the growing population. As a result, alternative architectural design would have to be implemented to accommodate the expansion of this growth. Olmsted (1870), states that the increase in activity within the city from the growth in the social and economical sectors would cause an expansion or the creation of parks for mental recuperation and calm contemplation for park visitors. In turn this would improve the city as there is space for stress relief encountered in the chaotic city and crowded streets. As a result, expansion of green open spaces such as Peebles Park is a future concern for the growing population.

References:

Hou, Jeffrey, ed. 2010 Insurgent public space: guerrilla urbanism and the remaking of contemporary cities. Routledge.

Olmsted, Frederick Law. 1870. "Public parks and the enlargement of towns." The urban design reader: 28-34.