Research Paper Draft

Research Project Part A:

Field Excursion Report: Interpreting Places and Landscapes

Shannon Brain

Yorkville University

GEOG210 Human Geography

February 1, 2020

On January 31, 2020, a field excursion was organized and completed of a Lakeshore neighborhood and surrounding area. The excursion started at 12:00 pm and concluded at 2:20 pm. The report includes the students’ observations of the complexity of Russell Woods and its urban landscapes. The map below shows that the Town of Lakeshore is surrounded by Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River. The Town of Tecumseh is bordered by Lake St. Clair. The natural landscape is protected by ERCA (Essex Region Conversation Area). Comment by DL: day of the week?

Comment by DL: Okay, good. It would also be useful to have a zoomed in map showing the excursion route.

("Maps")

Russell Woods Dr is a busy residential area with homes that range from $600,000 to $5,000,000. The sought-after area offers large lots and spectacular views over others you might find in a subdivision. The home environment can define mood, behaviour, decision-making processes, stress levels. As research has shown, in addition to social status, being near water creates a mental calm and promotes physical health. “Nearly every item in the landscape “reflect[s] culture in some way” (p, 18). We need to pay attention even to what at first glance might seem commonplace, trivial, or just plain haphazard and ugly. At the same time we need to make judgments about when an item really just is the idiosyncratic whim of an individual and thus truly is unique” ("New Axioms for Reading the Landscape: Paying Attention to Political Economy and Social Justice").

As a new resident of this area I noticed how closely the neighborhood interacts with one another. On a warm sunny day people were observed walking their dogs, jogging or just walking on the road or the sidewalks where available. The vehicular traffic was mainly pedestrians and cars/SUVs that obeyed the posted speed limit. In the warmer weather there will be children and adults on bicycles and the occasion golf cart. The socioeconomic status is white upper to upper middle-class families, business owners, mainly Manufacturing, Doctors and Lawyers.

In walking distance, the surrounding area has grown in recent years, the addition of newly built Plaza, which is home to a busy coffee shop where friends meet for a coffee or a glad of wine. The neighborhood teens flock to the neighboring pizza restaurant, retail, and medical offices occupy the remaining units. Across the street, on a busy corner, a convenience store, and Deli. This located next to the construction of luxury condominiums and Marina, a boater’s paradise. A portion of the Marina is another local hotspot for water sports such as kayaking, paddle boats, and a boat ramp. Comment by DL: Was it busy when you were there? What were people doing?

The Town of Lakeshore has put in place (by laws) legislation to regulate activities and development in the Town. These rules protect the: Comment by DL: are there signs explaining them?

· environment

· public health and safety

· set standards for the appearance of the community.

The town became a service centre for the surrounding area, which is rich in productive agricultural land ("Tecumseh (Ont). This small town has beautiful nature landscapes, such as the local park “Leffler” that is home to a family of foxes, and the canal is a favorite resting spot to many geese and ducks.

References

"Maps." Town of Tecumseh, www.tecumseh.ca/en/things-to-do/maps.aspx?_mid_=1290.

"New Axioms for Reading the Landscape: Paying Attention to Political Economy and Social

Justice." SpringerLink, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4020-5849-3_2.

"Tecumseh (Ont)." The Canadian Encyclopedia,

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/tecumseh-ont.