Activity # 3-Tamon Charles

Public vs. Private

I have chosen the strip of Lexington Avenue and 68th Street to Lexington and 57th Street for this assignment. This area is very active and is filled with many boutiques, shops and restaurants. I have chosen to walk along there on a Friday afternoon and I was very impressed with the availability of goods and services for citizens of the Upper East Side Manhattan.

I have noticed a variety of people who use this area for business purposes based on their attire, some are just out to have a late lunch and can be seen through the windows of intimate restaurants and are having drinks with their colleagues alike. People who are from the area can be seen walking their dogs or even taking an afternoon jog especially since the weather has been warmer.

Many young people who are enjoying their time with friends and shopping are more engrossed around the 59th Street area where stores such as Bloomingdales and Diesel can be found. The showcases are just so eye catching in these stores that one cannot help but venture in and look around. The designs of the mannequins are chic styles with bold fashion statements and a wide range of colors. Pairs of young women are also entering Sabon which is a chic store that specializes in an assortment of bath and body items that can be sensed even after walking away. “The effect of these regulations was to create a socially one-dimensional community. This was rather a new thing in America. Certainly, there had always been “streets of fashion,” better neighborhoods, even whole towns that enjoyed greater prosperity than other towns. But never had the upper class so systematically separated itself from the rest of society” (Kunstler, 52).

There are also nannies that are pushing strollers and may enter the Duane Reade pharmacy or even the Bread Factory or even the candy store to grab a few items in these public spaces. Some may even stop by the nearby puppy place for the kids to have a quick glimpse at the playful puppies while other shoppers gather around for a few snapshots.

For the most part, these particular ten or so blocks can be considered opened for the near by residents. Although there are also have few bus lines along Lexington Avenue that makes it easier to travel but due to heavy traffic, I think it is better to walk to get around.

I found this neighborhood somewhat different on a Sunday afternoon. The sidewalks are clearer of people except that more of them are using the weekends to more shopping or jogging and the atmosphere seems quieter and more people are dining out in the various restaurants in casual wear and also more involvement with kids such as taking a stroll as well. In all, I believe that this area has more private areas as there are many residential buildings, florists, upscale boutiques and cafes alike. The public areas are not well represented in this section of the city but more so can be found at other alternating streets that lead up Central Park and so on where one can take notice more integration of people in an open space. Lexington Avenue along 68th Street and 57th Street are ideally for shopping purposes but it does not attract people from all ages particularly kids and elderly folks for recreational activity that a public space would accommodate.