i believe i'm close to my site. the images shown are zooming into an existing play area at 188th st. and amsterdam ave. in washington heights. high bridge park is on the eastern side and is considered one of the most neglected parks in the city save for university woods in the bronx.(the white line in the first image runs the length of the park) within it though are meandering pathways, tunnels, cliffs, and the intersections of washington, alexander hamilton, and high bridges. i think if sited here the park experience could be integrated into the project with also the benefit of the washington heights community. the corner shown in the closest image stands 187 higher in elevation from the harlem river to give an idea of the topography.

when i ventured into the park on saturday i came upon a small shanty town of "homeless" under an overpass to the washington bridge. i did some brief research on the history of the park and found an article in the new york times from 2005 discussing neglected parks of the city. there in was an account of a woman who'd been living there for thirteen years. apparently they've established their dwellings by driving steel tubing into the earth and enclosing the shacks with sheet metal. i'm sorry to say i didn't get in close enough to now offer my own observations.

so i'm feeling like the park's personality has a connection with the orphanage and the neighborhood itself has a sensitivity that also relates. i honestly didn't experience the park via amsterdam ave. - i travelled the whole way through the park itself....so i need to go back and further investigate what exactly is happening there on the corner of what is laurel hill terrace/ amsterdam ave./ 188th st. this is where the existing play area is with an unknown building.