StrivingtoBuildCommunity

Examiningrecreationalcommunitycentersforinclusiveness

SeniorProjectWriteup:
BillyNong
Classof2015
Community,Environment,andPlanning
CommunityDevelopmentandEngagement

TableofContents
Abstract...2
Preface.....23
ProblemStatement...............................3
Significanceofproject..45
BackgroundContext.56
LiteratureReview..6
Historicapproachtosocialinclusion..67
Recreationalobjectives...78
Recreationalbenefitsofsocialinclusion.89
Impactsonsociety..910
RecreationalStrategies.10
Methods.....10
Decidingcentercasestudies..11
Creatingmetricsofobservation...1112
Informalinterviewformatandquestions..13
Documentationandtimeframe1314
ProductDescription.14
Brochureandimplementation14
Findings&Implications.1522

PersonalReflection.2223
References.24
Appendix..25

Abstract
Muchofsocietycontinuestostruggletoincludevariousgroupsofthepopulation,which
causesdisparitiesamongpeople.Formyseniorproject,Iexaminedthechallengesof
inclusioninacommunitysetting.Recreationalcommunitycentersareanidealplaceto
studysocialinclusionbecausetheyimpactthecommunitiestheyserveandareinclusive
ofmanydifferentgroupsatthesametime.IexaminedtwoSeattlecommunitycentersas
casestudies,andposedthequestion:Howdoesacommunitycentercreateasenseof
inclusivenessforitsusers?Thisisanimportantquestioninmanyneighborhoodswhere
therapidchangeindemographicshasmadesocialinclusionachallengeforthe
community.Figuringoutwhichelementsmakecommunitycenterssuccessfulat
promotingsocialinclusioncanhelpexpandsocialinclusionbeyondtheparksand
recreationfield,andintojobs,schools,churches,etc.Mymethodologyincluded,
informalinterviewsandethnographicobservationsateachsite.Thefinalproductisa
comprehensivebrochurethatdetailsallthedatacollected,aswellasthequestions,
guidelines,andactivitiesthatareusedtopromoteinclusivenessatthetwocasestudy
sites.Thisguidebookcanalsobeusedatothercommunitycentersorworkplacesthat
wishtopromotesocialinclusionandimprovetheircommunityforgenerationstocome.

Preface
ProblemStatement:
AcrosstheUS,recreationalcommunitycentersprovidebasicamenitiestothe
neighborhoodstheyserve.Duetothevarianceofneighborhoods,geographiclocation,
andgovernmentfundingforcommunitycenters.Thisresultininequalityinservices
3

providedforthecommunity,oftenleadingtocertainpopulationgroupsusingthe
communitycentersmorethanothers.Myconcerniswhatbringspeopletoacommunity
center,speciallythosepopulationgroupsthatdonothaveastrongrepresentationatthe
centersalready?Uncoveringthequestionallowsneighborhoodplanners,cityofficials,
andcommunitycentermanagerstheknowledgetocreateaplanthatincorporates
underrepresentedpopulations.Inachievingthistask,theresultwillbeamorediverse,
inclusive,andcivicallyengagedcommunity.

Significance:
WhenIwasgrowingup,Ireliedonmylocalneighborhoodcommunitycenterfor
socialbonding,safety,education,andfindingasenseofcommunity.Iwasfortunateto
findtheseaspectsandmanymoreinmycommunitycenterinRenton,Washington.Asa
result,thecommunitycenterhelpedshapemetowhatIamtoday.However,asIgot
olderandprogressedthroughschool,Istartedtowitnessandrealizethatsome
communitiesdonothavetheluxuryasIdidofhavingacommunitycenter.Frommy
personalexperience,thecommunitycenterkeptmeawayfromcausingtroubleinmy
localneighborhood.Asaresult,someofthecommunitymembersItalkedinmanyparts
ofSeattlethroughoutmyeducationstatedtomethatwithoutacommunitycenter,they
wereorcouldbeaffectednegatively.Somepeopleexpressedtomethattheywishedthey
hadacommunitycenterorthattheircurrentonecouldusemoreactivities,equipment,
etc.FrommyownassumptionIsawpeoplecomparingtheircommunitycenterstoothers
acrosstown.ThishasalwaysgottenmyattentionandIpromisedmyselfthatonedayas
anadultIwouldseekoutwhatmakesacommunitycenterinviting,sothatitsownand
neighboringresidentscanallbenefitoneanother.
Anotherreasonwhythisprojectissogreatlyembeddedinmymindisduetoone
ofmymentorsgrowingup.HernameisThresaandshewasthemanagerofthe
communitycenterIattendedasachild.Shepracticallyraisedmeasoneofherown,and
gavemeadviceandopportunitiesonimprovingmyself.Sincethen,herjobhasalways
fascinatedmeandgavemeinspirationonwhatIwantedtodoasIgotolder,whichisto
4

runmycommunitycenterandhelpchildrenandadultsfeelinclusiveandhelpmakea
positiveimpactonthem.Asforme,shemadeanimpactonmylifethatIwillnever
forgetandIwanttofollowinherfootsteps.
Withthisinmind,Iwantthisprojecttomakeastatementforeveryonewhohas
anyinterestaboutaninclusivecommunitythatfostershealthysocialinteractions.There
aremanyfactorspeoplefacedailythatcouldbesolvedatthemicrolevel.Thiscouldbe
languagebarriers,culturalbarriers,andsometimeseducation.Thefuturestillhasalotto
seewithimprovementstoneighborhoodcommunitycenters,hopefullypositives.Iwant
thisprojecttosteerpeopletowardsthatpositivedirection.Ihopethisprojectcanbea
guideandmotivationaltoolforeveryoneinallfieldsofworkoreducationthatbelievein
incorporatinginclusivityeithertoacommunitycenterorworkplaceisfeasibleandthe
resultsarebeneficialtoallthosearound.

Context:
Societiesandcommunitieshavebeenstrugglingwiththeissueofcommunitydatingback
toancientGreeks.AristotleandPlatohadtheirownversionsofformingcommunityand
socialinteractions.Thelistoftheoreticalthinkersofcommunitybuildingexpands
throughallgenerationsandcenturies.Onequestionthatsocietieshavetriedtoanswer
was,howacommunityshouldfunction?Iamaskingasimilarquestioninthisproject
andusingacommunitycentertofigureouthowacommunityorneighborhoodfunctions,
inregardstosocialinteractions.Now,thereareatonofnewtypesandwaysinwhicha
communitycenterfunctionsinsocietytoday.Tonameafewwellknowncommunity
centersthereistheYMCA,BoysandGirlsClub,anddifferentcitysparkandrecreation
facilities.Thesecentershavesomeoverlappingtraitswhenitcomestowhomtheyserve
andhowtheyfostersocialinteraction.Forexample,TheBoysandGirlsClubismore
focusonyouthdevelopment,whiletheYMCAisacombinationofYouthandAdult.The
formofacommunitycenterisconstantlyevolving,especiallyinitsadministrative
processes.Onemainchangeovertimewastheideaofprivatesupportfromcommunity
memberstothatofyearroundrecreationsupportfrommunicipalfunds.Thismayplaya
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roleinhowinclusiveacommunitycenteris,butformyprojectIwillnotdivedeepinto
thefinancesofdifferentcommunities.Instead,Iwilltakenoteofthedifferentfinancial
standingsofthecommunitymembersintheneighborhoodattendingthecentersandsee
whetherornotthatimpactssocialinteraction.Animportantpartofunderstandingwhat
makesacommunitycenterinclusivetomanygroupsofpeopleistounderstandthe
historyorbackgroundofindividuals.Ibelieveonewaytoestablishasenseofcommunity
isthroughunderstanding.Ihopetousemyresearchinliteratureandsurveydatatobetter
understandwhypeopleactthewaytheydoinapublicspace,suchasacommunity
center.

LiteratureReview
Socialinclusioncanaffectanindividualpsychologically,socially,andphysically.Itisan
innatehumanquality,allowingindividualstothriveintheirenvironmentswithothersand
findinterestintheiractivities.Onthecontrary,socialexclusioncandamagean
individualspersonalandsocialdevelopment.Severalsocietalelementsarebelievedto
becorrelatedwithsocialexclusioninchildrenandadults.Someexamplesinclude,
discrimination,exploitation,afailuretorecognizedemocracy,andsocialhierarchies
(Allman,2013).Inthisthesispaper,theeffectsofsocialinclusiononchildren,adults,
andtheelderlywillbeinvestigated.Itishypothesizedthatsocialinclusioncanbenefita
childthroughadulthood,fosteringsociallyacceptablebehaviorsandideas.Thefollowing
literaturereviewsattempttodemonstrateandsupportthishypothesis.

HistoricApproach:
Thediscussionsofsocialinclusionandexclusioncanbetracedbacktotheorigins
ofhumanevolution(Allman,2013).EisenbergerandLiebermanbelievedthatthehuman
socialinterconnectivityisasfundamentalasourmostbasicneedsforsurvivalsuchas
fire,sustenance,andshelter(2005).Incontrast,theabsenceofinterconnectivityis

experiencedasphysicalpain(2005).Theirjustificationcomesfromdifferentcenturies
andculturesexplainingstoriesinrelationtohowtheinterruption,loss,orabsenceof
socialbondscanmanifestasintenseexperiencesofhumanpainorsuffering(Eisenberger
andLieberman,2004).
Thiscanbeseenwithchildrenearlyonintheirlives,whentheyaredependenton
theirparentsforbasicsurvivalelementssuchasfoodandprotection.Ifachildismissing
protectionandfoodfromitsparents,thenitmustobtainitanotherwaythatcouldresult
inindividualsufferingorpain.Thistheoryisevidentandcanbeexaminedbylookingat
torturetechniquestoprisonersofwaraswell.Thesocialisolationtheprisonersendureas
punishmentcancreatepsychological,physical,andemotionalstresses.Overtimethe
individualcoulddevelopmanypsychologicaldisorders.Giventheimportanceofsocial
inclusionandexclusionforsocialandindividualdevelopment,neighborhoodrecreational
communitycentersstrivetohelppeoplethriveinvariousenvironments.

RecreationalObjective:
Recreationalcommunitycentersareuniqueinitsdesignsandobjectives.Every
recreationalcenterhasitsownsetupintermsorfacilityrulesandgoals,dependingonits
location.Thismakesitdifficulttoexamineandcomparecommunitycenters.Therehave
beenseveralaudittoolscreatedbyscholarsandusedtomeasurethecharacteristicsofa
recreationalfacility(BedimoRung,Gustat,Tompkins,Rice,&Thomson,2006;Cavnar
etal.,2004;Crawfordetal.,2008;Cunningham,Michael,Farquhar,&Lapidus,2005;
Saelensetal.,2006;Tropedetal.,2006).Manyoftheaudittoolscreatedhavean
objectiveoffiguringoutwhatattractspeopletotherecreationalcenters,suchassports
amenities,safety,cleanliness,polices,etc.(Lee,2013).Manyoftheaudittoolscreated
focusmoreonsomeareasofresearchcreatingamisconceptionoroverestimationofa
centersevaluation.Inordertoavoidasmuchunderrepresentedresearch,anewaudittool
namedtheRecreationalFacilityAuditToolwascreatedtomeasureawiderangeof
characteristicsaboutarecreationalcenter(RecFat)(Lee,2013).TheRecFatisuniversal
inthatitcanbeusedtoevaluatetheindoor,outdoor,aquaticandnonaquaticrecreational
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facilitiesinurbanareas(Lee,2013).TheoverallobjectiveofRecFatistobetter
understandtherelationshipsandcharacteristicsofarecreationalfacilities,facilityuse,
andphysicalactivity(Lee,2013).UsingtheRecFataudittoolasaframework,Iwill
betterunderstandhowmycasestudyrecreationalcentersfunctionandhowinclusivity
playsaroleaswell.
TheRecreationalFacilityAuditTool(RecFAT)wasdevelopedtoobjectively
measurethecharacteristicsofrecreationalfacilitiesacross10domains:theavailabilityof
sportsfacilities,accessibilitytothefacility,availabilityofsupportiveamenities,
conditionsofchangingrooms,conditionsoftoilets,management,policy,environmental
safety,aesthetics,andsocialenvironment(Lee,2013).Formyresearchoninclusivity,I
willbeonlyfocusingonaccessibility,management,environmentalsafety,andsocial
environmentduetheabilityoftheseaspectstobeobserved.Theaccessibilitywilllookat
thedegreeofeasebywhichpeoplecanaccesstherecreationalfacility.Someelements
thatwillbeobservedarepotentialbarriersandfacilitatorssuchasthepresenceofslopes,
staircases,highways,publictransportandparkinglotsnearorwithintherecreational
facilities(Lee,2013).Themanagementevaluationwilllookatthestaffandtheir
relations,cleanlinessofthecenter,andavailabilityofclearsignageandwellposted
regulations(Lee,2013).Theenvironmentalsafetywilllookataspectssuchassafety
signage,conditionsinsideandneartherecreationalfacilities,suchasthepresenceof
undesirablegangs,wellfencedsportsgrounds,brokenglassorneedles,straydogsand
cats,goodlightingwithinandnearthefacilities,pluswellmaintainedequipment,floors
andpathways(Lee,2013).Asforsocialenvironment,thiswillbeexaminingthepresence
ofpeopleinsidethefacilities,includingtheiractions,reactions,andemotionstodifferent
variableswithinthecenter.UsingthistheRecFatasafoundationformyresearch,Iwill
beabletoidentifystrengthsandweaknessesaboutarecreationalcenterandgive
suggestionstoareasthatcouldbeimprovedforbetteruserexperiences.

RecreationalSocialInclusion

Havingadiversifiedrecreationalcenterisbeneficialtotheentiresurrounding
neighborhoodinmanyaspects.However,achievingthisfeaturecanbealongand
difficultprocess.Socialinclusionisoftenassociatedwithidentityandtherearemany
formsinthatidentitycanmean(Sands,2006).Forexample,individualidentitiescanbe
intheformofgender,age,sexualorientation,immigrationstatus,levelofabilityor
disability,heritage,etc.(Sands,2006).Itsimportanttonotethatmanypeopleidentify
withmultipleformsofidentity,meaningplacingasinglemarkeronanidentitytohelpus
understandthecontextdoesnotgiveusawholepicture.Thisinturnmakessocial
inclusioninanysettingadifficulttask.Therearefivedimensionsthathavebeenlabeled
asformstohelpachievesocialinclusionatarecreationalcenter;diversity,human
development,involvementandengagement,relationshiptolivingconditions,and
connectiontocommunityservices(Sands,2006).Diversity,dealswiththeissueofhow
recognizeandrespondtodiversegroupsofthepopulation.Humandevelopment,
examinesresourcesandopportunitiesforpeoplefulfilltheirabilitiesandmakingsure
thereisasupportsystem.Involvementandengagement,looksatthedecisionmaking
processesandensuringthatthoseaffectedarecontributinginsomewaytothechanges.
Relationshiptolivingconditionslooksathowissuesaroundinthecommunityarebeing
heardandaddressed.Connectiontocommunityservicesistheprocessoflinkingpeople
tovariousgroupsorpartnershipsinthecommunitythatsupportthelivesofthepeople.
Askingandfollowingthroughonthesefivedimensionsofsocialinclusionwillleadtoa
betterrecreationalcenterexperiencefortheuserandtheneighborhood.

RecreationalImpactsonSociety
Recreationalcommunitycentershaveoftenbeenplacedinurbancitiesor
neighborhoods.Onereasoncommunitycentersareplacedinurbanareasistoserveas
manygroupsofthepopulationaspossible.Therearemanyreasonswhycommunity
centersarebeneficialinurbanareas.AccordingtotheSocialPlanningandResearch
CouncilofBC,therearepositiveoutcomesthatlinktosocialinclusion.Oneofthe
positivesoutcomesisanincreaseinsocial,human,andeconomiccapital(Sands,2006).

Havingtheabilitytocreatecivicengagementandfullparticipationformembersofthe
communitywillcreatetangibleandintangiblebenefits(Sands,2006).Someofbenefits
thatcanariseincludebuildingsocialskills,knowledgeandrelationshipswithinthe
community(Sand,2006).Buildingtrustislinkedtothedevelopmentofsocialcapital,
whichinturnislinkedtoissuessuchastrustandtheabilitytotakecollectiveactionon
issuesofcommonconcern(Sands,2006).Havingsocial,human,andeconomiccapital
flourishinanycommunityisvitalasitcanproducesacommunitythatcanbereadyto
dealandcopewithcommunityissuesthatarisesuchassocialinclusion.
Asecondpositiveresultofsocialinclusionisreductioncrimethroughsocial
development(Sands,2006).Therehavebeenmanystudiesthatshowapositive
correlationincrimereduction,resultinginlessvandalism,pettytheft,etc.(Sands,2006)
Thisispossibleduetothesenseofbelongingthatiscreatedthroughsocialinclusion.
Oncepeoplewithinacommunityfeelasenseofattachment,theywillwantwhatisbest
forthemselvesandothers.Thus,theideaofcrimewillbelesswantedandpeoplewill
feelobligatedtobeproactiveand/orreactivetotheissue.Investinginsocialinclusion
willhavebenefitsthatgobeyondtheparksandrecreationalservicesandintothe
communityimmediatelyorovertime.Thiswillmostlikelyleadtoamoreknowledgeable
andengagedcommunitymembers.

RecreationalStrategiesforInclusion
TherearemanycitiesandneighborhoodsinAmericathatarepracticingand
implementingstrategiestobemoresociallyinclusive.Therearetwopredominate
approachesthatcommunitycentersgenerallyusetopromotesocialinclusion,whichis
directprogrammingorindirectprogramming.Theformerisassociatedwithspecialized
activitiesthatarecreatedbythecommunitycenter.Theseactivitiesareoftentimes
inspiredandwantedbycommunitymembersanddailyusersofthecenter.Sometypesof
directprogrammingactivitiesareseasonalsportsleagues,artsandcraftlessons,dance
classes,workshops,etc.Directprogrammingactivitiescanbeimplementedforages
rangingfromtoddlertoelderly.Dependingonthecommunitycenter,directprogramming

10

activitiescanhaveacostandsomecentersofferscholarshipstoparticipantswhocannot
paythefullcost.
Indirectprogrammingissimilartodirectprogramminginthattheobjectiveisto
getpeopleengagedandparticipatingineventsandactivities.However,thedifferenceis
thatthecommunitycenteranditsstafftakelessofaleadinindirectprogramming.Prime
examplesofindirectprogrammingaredropinprogramsatvariouscenters.Dropin
programsusuallydonotneedanysignuporcostrequirements.Commonformsofdrop
inprogramsfoundatrecreationalcentersareopengyms,gamerooms,andareastosit
andrelax.Manycommunitycentersofferfreedropinprogramsforadultsandyouths,
dependingonthetimeofday.Bothformsofprogrammingsupportsocialinclusionasit
allowsforparticipantstobeexposedtovarioustypesofactivities,people,and
interactions.

Methods
CaseStudies
Toexamineinclusivenessattherecreationallevel,Idecidedtoconductmyresearchat
RainierBeachCommunityCenter(RBCC)andGreenLakeCommunityCenterGLCC).I
choosethesetwocentersasmycasestudyfortwomainreasons.Thefirstisforthe
locationdifference.RainierBeachCommunityCenterislocatedinSouthSeattle,while
GreenLakeCommunityCenterisontheoppositeendinNorthSeattle.Boththeseareas
aresurroundedbydifferentamenities.Forexample,RBCCiswithinamileofthree
schoolsservingchildrenfromK12thgrade.Incontrast,GLCCissurroundedby
commercialbusinessesandaSeattlepubliclibrary.Sincethesetwoareasaredifferentin
termsofwhatsurroundsthem,thisleadstomysecondreasonforexaminingthem,which
isforthedemographicstheyserve.Accordingtothe2010USCensus,theRainierBeach
neighborhoodhousesroughly30%White,26%BlackorAfricanAmerican,33%Asian,
and8%HispanicorLatino(ofanyrace).Withapopulationofroughly42,000residents,
thesepercentagesrepresentingthetopthreeracesareevenlydistributedintermsof
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people.AtGreenLake,theneighborhoodconsistofroughly83%White,2.5%Blackor
AfricanAmerican,7.5%Asian,and5%HispanicorLatino(ofanyrace).Thepopulation
numberatGreenLakeiscloseto46,000people.Incomparisonbetweenthetwocase
studyneighborhoods,RainierBeachismuchmorediverseraciallythenGreenLake.This
disparitywasthemainreasonIdecidedtopickthesetwocommunitycenters.Iwantedto
seeifthecenterswereservingthepopulationthatitsurrounds.Usingthesetwocase
studieswillmakemyresearchmorecomprehensivebyshowingmecorrelationsand
differencesamongstwhathasalreadybeendocumentedcomparedtomyownfindings.

MetricsofObservations
Beforeconductingmyresearchatthecasestudysites,Ihadcreatedametricsor
measurementsystemtorecordmyfindings.ThemetricsIcreatedwasbasedoffof
RobertM.Emersonsethnographicfieldnotetechniques.Emersonstechniqueson
ethnographicfieldnotesdetailedthesocialandinteractionalprocessesthatmakeup
peopleseverydaylivesandactivities.(Emerson,1995)Thisisdonethroughself
immersionintothesettingsorenvironmentsoftheresearch.Therearefourmain
implicationsthatcanbedrawnfromtakingethnographicfieldnotes.Thefirstistreating
dataorfindingsasinseparablefromtheobservationalprocess.(Emerson,1995)This
ismeansthattheobservershouldnotseehisorherexperiences,reactions,oremotions
duringtheobservationasseparate,butratherconnected.Thebestwaytoavoidthis
misconceptionistodocumentyourownactivities,circumstances,andemotional
responsesasthesefactorshelpshapetheprocessofobservingandrecordingotherslives.
(Emerson,1995)Thesecondimplicationistofindindigenousmeaningorunderstanding
ofwhatthosebeingobservedareconcernedabout.Theobservereffectivelypracticesthis
whentheylearntorecognizeandlimittheirrelianceuponpreconceptionsabout
memberslivesandactivities.ThethirdimplicationisdescribedbyEmersoniswriting
fieldnotescontemporaneously.Itisimportanttorecognizethattheinitialfieldnotesdo
nottelltheresearcherconcernsandmeaningsofallothersatonce,butinaconstant,only
continuingtheprocessoverlongperiodsoftimewillbuildnewinsightandunderstanding
ofthesituation.(Emerson,1995)Thelastimplicationistheimportanceofinteractional
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detailortryingtoinscribethesituationandeventsofinterestinfinedetail.However,
determiningwhatisenoughdetailisdependentontheobserverandwhattheyaretrying
toanswer.
UsingEmersonasaguide,IsetouttoobservethreeaspectsthatIdetermined
wouldbestanswermyquestionregardinginclusiveness.Thefirstaspectwassocial
interactionsamongparticipantsatthecenter.Irecordedverbalcommunicationamong
variousgroupsandpeoplewithinthecenters.Itooknoteofthepeopleandthewords
theysaidduringtheirconversations.ThesecondaspectIobservedwasphysical
interactions.Irecordedanyeventsandactivitiesthattheparticipantswereinvolvedinat
thecenter.ThelastaspectthatIobservedanddocumentedwasemotionalreactions.I
specificallyexaminedpeoplesemotionalresponsesduringthesocialandphysical
interactionsthatwerementionedearlier.Duringmyobservations,Isetmyselfapartfrom
thosebeingobserved,sothatIwouldnotunintentionallychangeanyactionorreaction
fromtheobservant.IdidnotparticipateinanyoftheinteractionsthatIrecorded.With
thesethreecategoriesformeasurement,Iwantedtousethedatafoundtolearnhowthe
peopleatthecenterandthecentersbuiltenvironmentcancontributetotheoverall
inclusivenessofthecenter.

Informalinterviews
Tofurtherincreasemydataresultsandobtainabetterunderstandingoftheinclusionat
thecenters,Iconductedinformalinterviewswiththeparticipantsatthecenters.Iwanted
tomakethisprocesswasorganicaspossible,soIapproachedthoseobservedand
proceededtostartanormalconversationwiththem.IdidnottellthemIwasconducting
researchorthattheywerepartofaninterview,unlesstheyaskedme.ThereasonIchoose
thismethodwastoeliminateanychangeinanswertheparticipantcouldhavegivenme.I
wantedtorecordwhatinitialcametomindwhentheyheardthequestions.Therewerea
totaloffourquestionsasked.Thequestionswerefocusedonbetterunderstandingwhat
theindividualthoughtaboutthecentersaroundtheideaofinclusion.Whenparticipants
expressedthattheydidnotunderstandthequestionorterms,Ihadtorephraseoruse

13

examplestodemonstratethemeaning.Belowarethefourquestionsthatwereaskedto
theparticipants:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Whydoyoucometothiscommunitycenter?
Doyoufeelasenseofinclusioninsidethecenter?Whyorwhynot?
Whattypesofpeopledoyouoftenseeattendingthecenter?
Ifyoucouldmakethiscentermoreinclusivetoyourneighborhoodand
thosethatdonotattendthecenteroften,whatwouldyoudoor
implement?

Documentation&Timeframe
Overthedurationofmyresearch,Ispentatotalof20hourstakingethnographicfield
notesatboththecommunitycenters.Isplitthetimeofobservationsevenlybetweenboth
centersmakingit10hourseach.Iwenttothecentersontheweekdaysbetweenthetimes
ofthreetoseven.Thereasonforthiswasduetothehigherchancethecenterswouldbe
usedbyadultsandstudentsafterschoolorwork.TheamountoftimeItookdoingin
formalinterviewswiththeparticipantswerenotfactoredintotheobservationtime.Ifelt
thetwowereseparateandputtingatimelimitonaconversationcanhaveaneffectonthe
answersyoureceive.HowIdocumentedmyworkfortheobservationsandinformal
interviewswereslightlydifferent.Irecordedmyobservationsdowninmynotepadfrom
adistancethattheparticipantswouldnotfeeluncomfortable.IfIwasspottedoraskedby
theparticipantIwouldanswerbytellingthemIamdoingresearchforschooland
relocatetoadifferentspottocontinuemyobservations.HowIproceededwiththein
formalinterviewquestionswasbyapproachingtheparticipantaskingthemifitwasokay
formetoaskthemaquestion.Next,Ipromptedthemwiththequestionandoncethe
interviewwasfinishedIwalkedawayandthenwrotedowninmynotepadtheanswers
theygave.IfoundthisprocesstobethemosteffectiveformetogetdatabecauseIcould
talkandlistentoeverythingtheyarementioning,ratherthenmetryingtowritedown
everythingsaidandnotgivingtheparticipantmyfullattention.Theseprocessesmadeit
seemmorenaturalandlessofafreightinginterrogationfortheparticipant.Tokeepboth
observationsatthecentersconstant,Ionlyrecordedparticipantswhowereatthecenter

14

forthedropinprogramming.Ialsofactoredoutpeopleusingtheswimmingpoolsinceit
wasaseparateamenityinthecenter.

ProductDescription
Brochureandimplementation
Thefinalproductforthisresearchwasacomprehensivebrochure.Withinthisbrochure
itlistedandbrieflyexplainedthemainpointsinmyresearch.Therewasalsoa
suggestionssectionthatgivesmypersonalopinionofhowthecenterscanimprovetheir
inclusivenessfortheirparticipantsbasedoffofmyobservationsandanswersfrothe
interviews.Thebrochurehadresultsfrombothcenterstoshowacontrastbetweenthe
two.Theideabehindputtingbothofthemcentersresultsinonebrochurewasnotto
compare,butseewhatisbeingdoneatadifferentplace.Withthesebrochures,I
implementedthembygivingthemtotherespectedcenterswhereIconductedmy
research.Ihopetheyintendonimplementingsomeofthestrategiessuggestedovertime.
Myaimwiththisfinalproductistogivethecentermanagerssomeinsightonwhattheir
participantsseeandwantfromthecenter.Theoverarchinggoalistohavethemanagers
practicesomeofthestrategiesandtocontinuetothinkofnewwaystobemoreinclusive
totheneighborhoodtheyserve.(Seeappendixforbrochure)

FindingsandImplications
OverthecourseofmyresearchIwasabletoobserveatotalof40participantsatboth
centerscombined.AtGreenLakeIwasabletointerview15participantsandatRainier
BeachIinterviewed25peopletotal.RainierBeachhadmorepeopleintervieweddueto
thehighnumberofparticipantsthatwereusingthecenterduringthetimesofmyvisit.
Belowaretheanswersthatalltheparticipantsgavemeduringtheinformalinterview.
Iabbreviatedtheanswerswith(RB)tosymbolizeRainierBeachand(GL)forGreen
Lake.TherewerealsoanswersthatweresimilarinmagnitudeandIhavecodedthose
answerswitha+symbolandnumbertoshowhowmanytimesitwasreferenced.

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Whydoyoucometothiscommunitycenter?
RainierBeach

IgotoanalternativeschoolbecauseIgetintofightsalot,buthereatthecenterI

feelsafefromthatRB
Itsameetupspotformeandmyfriends,wegotodifferentschools,butwelive

inthesameneighborhoodRB,+6
IenjoysendingmykidshereafterschoolfortheprogramstheyofferRB
ThestaffarechillandfuntotalktoRB,+3
IhavenothingtodoathomeandIliveclosebyRB,+6
IusethebasketballgymtopracticeandplaywithmyfriendsRB,+5
IcangethelpwithmyhomeworkorusethecomputersRB,+2
Icansignupforactivitiesandseewhatshappeningatthecenteror
neighborhoodRB

GreenLake

ThiscommunitycenterisaniceplacetocomeandrelaxGL
IliverightacrossthestreetfromtheparkandcenterGL,+6
IlikethefriendlinessofthestaffandpeopleatthecenterGL,+3
IusethebathroomandwaterfountainwhenImrunningaroundtheparkGL
IoccasionallyplaybasketballdowninthegymGL
MeandmyfriendscomehereafterschooltoplayGL,+4

Doyoufeelasenseofinclusioninsidethecenter?Whyorwhynot?
RainierBeach

Yes,IalwaystalktothestaffandtheyalwayslistentowhatIsayRB,+4
Yes,IseepeoplethatarefrommyneighborhoodRB,+5
Yeah,peoplecallmebymynameandtheyrememberthethingsIdidRB,+4
Sometimes,thereneedstobemoreactivitiesthateveryonecandoRB,+3
Yes,IcancomehereanytimeanddowhatIneedinsideRB,+3
Yeah,itssafeandnobodyreallygetshurtRB
Yeah,mostofthekidsarenotbadandwontbothermeRB
ThestaffwelcomeeveryoneandtreatpeoplethesameRB,+4

GreenLake

Yes,itseasytoaccessfromtheoutsideGL,+3
Yes,thefrontdeskstaffareveryhelpfulandniceGL,+3

16

Yes,IcanfindwhatIneedinside,suchasequipmentorabathroomGL,+5
Yes,therearepicturesanddrawingsthatmaketheplacefeelmorehomieGL
Yes,thereareachairsformetositanddowhatIneedtodoGL,+3

Whattypesofpeopledoyouoftenseeattendingthecenter?
RainierBeach

IseealotofpeoplefrommyhighschoolandtheneighborhoodRB,+6
TherearealotofkidsandnotreallyoldpeopleRB,+3
ThereisalotofBlackpeopleandsometimesAsiansRB,+6
Iseethestaff,peopleusingthepool,andmyfriendsRB
IseealotofdifferentpeoplelikeBlack,White,Asian,Mexican,andstuffRB,

+4
Therearealotofpeoplewhousethegymandcomputerlabandswimming
poolRB,+5

GreenLake

IusuallyseealotofkidsandpeopleusingtheswimmingpoolGL,+4
Asforrace,IseealotofCaucasiansandalittlebitoftheothersalsoGL,+2
Thesamepeopleatthepark,likeold,young,momswithkids,thecollege

studentsGL,+4
Iseealotofkidsgoingintothecenterandpeoplefromtheparkusingthe

bathroomorgettingadrinkofwaterGL,+3
Myfriends,olderkids,parents,andbabiesGL,+2

Ifyoucouldmakethiscentermoreinclusivetoyourneighborhoodandthosethat
donotattendthecenteroften,whatwouldyoudoorimplement?
RainierBeach

HavemoreeventsandfreefoodforpeopleRB,+10
MaybetellthemaboutthecoolthingsthathappenhereRB,+5
IwouldputartworkeverywheretoshowthedifferentculturesRB,+2
TelleveryonetobenicesopeoplewillcomeandnotleaveRB
Thecenterisalreadygreat,butmaybemakethetimesitsopenlongerRB,+2
AddmorethingstothecenterthatwedonthavelikeabigTVtowatchsports
RB,+5

GreenLake
17

Increasesignageontheoutsideofthebuildingtotellothersitsarecreation

centerGL,+3
Improvethequalityofthebuilding,itsoldandoutdatedGL,+3
HavebigcommunityeventsoutsidethecentertodrawtheirattentionGL,+2
ChangethelayoutofthebuildingGL,+2
SendlettersormailtotheresidentstellingthemtocheckoutthecenterGL
HavemoreresourcesforpeopletousesuchasacomputerlabGL,+4

Basedontheparticipantsanswerstotheinformalinterviewquestions,Iwasableto
betterunderstandwhattheattitudesandthinkingprocesseswereoftheparticipantsatthe
twocenters.AtRainierBeach,forthefirstquestionasked,Iwasabletomakethe
inferencethatthecenterwasmainlyusedbytheparticipantsbecauseitwasclosein
proximityoftheirhomeorschoolanditwasaconvenientplacetomeet.Uponfurther
conversingwiththeparticipantsonthisquestion,Iunderstoodthecenterbeanessential
partoftheneighborhoodduetoitslocation,visibility,andeaseofaccessfromall
cardinaldirections.Forthesecondquestionregardingasenseofinclusionatthecenter,
everyparticipantsaidtheyfeltincludedorwelcomedatthecenter.Basedoffofthe
answers,Iconcludedthattheparticipantsfeltthemostimportantaspectaboutinclusionis
representationoftheirneighborhoodandthewaystaffsinteractwithpeopleinthecenter.
Forthethirdquestionaboutthetypesofpeopletheparticipantsseeoftenatthecenter.
Themajorityofthemansweredwithpeopletheyseeattheirschoolsandfor
demographicsitwasmajorityBlackorAfricanAmerican.WhenIcomparedthistothe
CensusdataontheRainierBeacharearacedemographic,Iwassurprisedthattherewas
notmoreWhiteorCaucasianpeopleattendingthecenter,whenthatgroupisalmosta
thirdofthepopulationmakeupoftheneighborhood.ThemostinterestingresultsIgot
fromtheinterviewwereonthelastquestionthatIaskedparticipants,whichstatedhow
theycouldimprovethecentersattemptatbeinginclusive.AtRainierBeach,thetheme
wascenteredonhavingmorerepresentationofthecommunity.Thiswassurprisingtome
becausefrommyobservationsitseemeddiverseandalmostalltheracedemographics
werepresent.

18

AtGreenLakeCommunityCenter,theanswerstheparticipantsgavewerenotsofar
apartfromRainierBeach.Forexample,onthefirstquestionthecommonthemewas
aroundlocationandeaseofaccessthatcontributedtopeopleattendingthecenter.Forthe
secondquestion,mostoftheparticipantsfeltasenseofinclusionduetothefriendliness
ofthestaffandtheavailableoptionsthattheyhavetochoose.Uponfurtherconversing
withtheparticipantsonthistopic,Ifoundoutthatthemainresourcesbeingusedatthe
centerwerethebathrooms,gym,andmainlobby.Whentheparticipantswereaskedwhat
typesofpeopletheycommonlyseeatthecenter,themostcommonanswerwaskids,
students,andfamilies.Thereasonforthismaybebecausethecenterislocatedneara
playgroundwherealotoflittlechildrenandtheirparentsuse.Thebiggestdifference
betweenRainierBeachandGreenLakeCommunityCenterwastheanswersIreceived
abouthowtheycanimprovetobecomemoreinclusive.GreenLakeparticipants
expressedchangetowardsthebuildinganditsqualitystate.Ithoughtthiswasinteresting
becauseRainierBeachwasabrandnewcenterandthecommonthemetherewasnot
aboutremodelingit.
Aswellasinterviewingtheparticipantsatthecenters,Ialsorecordedtheinteractionsthat
werepresentatthecenterduringmyvisits.TherewerethreecategoriesIrecordedofthe
participants(social,physical,andemotional)insidethecenter.Belowisasummaryofthe
mainobservationsIdocumentedofeachcategoryatthecenters.(Seetheappendixforall
ofmyobservationsandnotes)

RainierBeach
AtthiscenterIobservedamajorityofsocialinteractionsbetweenstudentsofallages,
staffs,andparents.Thesocialinteractionsbetweenstudentshappenedintwomain
locationswithinthecenter,thebasketballgymandmainlobby.BetweenthestudentsI
observedthemsittingaroundthetablesinthemainlobbyandbenchesinthegym
conversing.Forthestaffs,Imainlyobservedtheminteractingverballywitheveryonein
thecenterfrombehindthefrontofficedesk.(Seeappendix)Withparentstherewas
limitedinteractionthatIobserved.Mostoftheconversationsbetweenparentswereinthe

19

mainlobbybythechairs.Manyofthemwerewaitingfortheirkidstobedismissedfrom
theclasses.Basedoffmysocialobservations,Icameupwiththeinferencethatthecenter
doeshaveaspacethatallowsforcommunicationbetweengroups.AmongthoseI
observed,Ididnotseeanywordsusedthatwouldbeoffensiveorcauseanyexclusionof
aparticulargroup.Forphysicalinteraction,Iobservedstudentsinthegymplaying
basketballwithoneanother.Ialsodocumentedpeoplestudentseatingtheirfoodatthe
roundtablesandinteractingwiththeirdigitaldevices.Foremotionalinteractions,the
mostprevalentthatIsawamongtheparticipantswereexcitementandfriendliness.I
observedthisemotionalotwiththestaffandthepeopletheycommunicatedwith.
Overall,basedonmyobservationsoftheparticipantsatthecenterIconcludedthat
RainierBeachwassuccessfulattryingtobemoreinclusive.Therewerethreemain
theoriesthatIcameupwithfrommyobservationsthatmakemebelievethecenterwas
successfulatbeinginclusive.Thefirsttheoryofmineistransparency.Thismeansthat
everythingsaidanddonebytheparticipantsatthecenterwaspublicandvisibleby
everyone.ThisopennesscreatesasenseoffairnessthatIobservedamongtheparticipants
atthecenter.Thesecondtheoryofmineissafety.Thismeansthattheparticipantsfelt
safeinproximityofoneanotherinthespacesprovidedinsidethecenter.Thisallowsfor
individualsandgroupstheopportunitytointeract.ThethirdtheoryIconcludedwithwas
representation.ThismeansthattheparticipantsIobservedhadatleastoneotherperson
tointeractwith.Thisrepresentationallowsforthepossibilityoflargegroupstobe
formedandanopportunitytofind/definetheirselfidentity.Thereweresomeareasof
improvementthatIobservedcouldbedonebythecentertobemoreinclusive.Thefirst
improvementiswiththebuiltenvironmentofthecenter.Mysuggestionwouldbetohave
signageoropenthedoorstotheindividualroomsthatpeoplecanuse.Forexample,the
computerroomdoorwasshuttheentiretime,creatingasenseofexclusionforanyone
thatwasnewtothecenter.Openingthedoorswillbemoreinvitingtoeveryonethat
entersthecenterandallowsthechancetoexplorealltheavailableoptionsatthecenter.
Thesecondsuggestionistohavemoreculturalreferencesoftheneighborhoodinsidethe
center.Thiscanbeimplementedinmanyways,butIwouldsuggestdoingsowith
picturesorflagsofthedifferentnationsandculturesthatexistaroundthecenter.This
20

willgiveavisualcuetopeopleenteringthecenterthattheplacesupportspeopleofall
backgrounds.Mynextsuggestionisbasedoffoftheinterviews,butIwouldrecommend
havingculturaleventsornights.Thiscanbeanythingfromplayingmusictohavingfood.
Ifeelimplementingthiswillnotonlygetpeopletothecenter,butalsoeducatethemon
thedifferentpeoplethatmakeuptheneighborhood.
GreenLake
AtthiscommunitycenterIobservedforthesamethreeaspectsasRainierBeach.For
socialinteractions,Irecordedpredominatelystaffinteractingwithpeoplewalkinginto
thecentersfrontdoorsandchildrenplayingwithoneanother.SimilartoRainierBeach,
manyoftheparticipantsonlycommunicatedwithsomeonetheycameintothecenter
withorsomebodytheyknewalready.Iwasabletorecognizethiswhentheparticipants
referencedeachotherbytheirfirstnames.Asforphysicalinteractions,Iobservedmany
oftheinteractionshappeningatthestafffrontdeskandbasketballgym.Thelayoutofthe
buildingdoesnotprovidealotofspaceforlargegroupstooccupyandconverse.These
twolocationsweremostidealduetotheirsizeandabilitytoholdalotofpeople.Asfor
emotionalinteractions,thiswassimilartoRainierBeach.Thestaffstherewereall
friendlyanddirectwitheveryonetheycommunicatedwithatthecenter.Asforemotional
interactions,themostcommonthatIobservedwassimilartoRainierBeachinthat
peoplewerefriendly,outgoing,approachable,andexcited.Overall,Basedonmy
observationsatGreenLakeIconcludedthatitwassuccessfulattryingtobecomemore
inclusivetotheneighborhood.TherewerethreetheoriesIcameupwiththatsupportmy
claim.ThefirstisrepresentationandasImentionedearlierthisdealswithhaving
visualimagestosignaltoparticipantsthatpeopleofsimilarbackgroundhavealso
attendedthecenter.Thiscreatesasenseofbelongingfornewparticipants.Thesecond
theoryisaccessorthemultitudeofwayspeoplecanenterthebuilding.Frommyown
observationsandinterviewswithpeople,Ifoundittruethatpeoplecouldenterfrom
differentdirectionsandeachentranceserveddifferentpurposes.Forexample,thefront
entrancehadarampforwheelchairaccessibilityandthebackentrancehadstairsfor
peoplecomingfromtheoutsidebasketballcourts.Therewerealsosomeareasof

21

improvementthatIobservedthatwouldincreasetheattemptatincludingmorepeopleof
theneighborhood.Thefirstsuggestionistohaveincreasesignageontheoutsideofthe
centerthatclearlystatestothepublicitsacommunitycenterforall.Wheninterviewing
participantsmanyexpressedthattheywouldwanttohavemorevisualcuesontheoutside
ofthebuildingtellingthemitsapubliccommunitycenterandthattheyarewelcometo
comeinanduseit.Mysecondsuggestionistoimprovetheinfrastructureofthebuilding
specificallythemainlobbyandgym.Therewasnotalotofspaceforpeopletointeractin
andthesetwolocationswereprime.However,thereweresomethingsIobservedthat
wouldimprovetheinteractions.Inthemainlobby,eliminatingthewallthatsplitsthearts
andcraftroomandfrontdeskwillallowformorespaceandvisibility.Inthebasketball
gymIrecommendmakingamoreclearpathorwalkway.Onmyfirsttimevisitingthe
centerIhadadifficulttimefindingthegym.MynextsuggestionissimilartoRainier
Beach,whichistohosteventsthathighlightthemanydifferentculturesinthe
neighborhood.Thiscanbeanythingthatthestaffsandmanagersofthecenterthinkis
appropriate.Myideawouldbetocreateaneventthatcanteachsomethingnewtothe
community.Inattempttocreateaspaceforinteractionandincreasingrepresentation,the
opportunityforinclusionshouldincreaseaslongasitskeepuptodateandnew
techniquesorstrategiesarecreatedlater.

PersonalReflection

DuringthecourseofmyresearchIwasabletoidentifymanylimitationthatcouldof
affectedmyresults.ThefirstlimitationwasthetimeanddaysIwasabletovisitthe
centerstodocumentmydata.Iwasonlyavailabletovisitthecentersintheafternoonand
onweekdays.ItwasdifficulttofindadecenttimetoobservesinceIamafulltime
studentandIalsoworkparttime.ThesecondlimitationtomyprojectwasIcouldnot
takephotosorrecordvideooftheparticipantsatthecentersforliabilityissues.Mythird
limitationisrelatedtothesecond,whichwasIhadnotransportationsoIreliedheavily
onpublictransportation.AlltheselimitationsplayedafactorinhowmanyhoursI
observedandwhenIdidaswell.TherearethreemainthingsIwouldchangeaboutmy
projectifIcontinueditinthefuture.Thefirstoneisrelatedtomymethods.Insteadof
22

pickingandchoosingwhomIinterviewed,Iwouldcreateaposterboardandhavepeople
writetheirthoughtdown.Thiswillallowmetoextractmoreinformationthenhavingone
ononeinterviewwithpeople.AnotherthingIwouldchangewouldbemyfocuson
inclusivenessandwhatImeanbythat.ForthisprojectIwantedtoexamineallaspectsof
inclusivenesssuchasgender,age,culture,religion,disability,sexualorientation,and
socioeconomicstatus.Ifoundthistobeverydifficultandendeduponlyfocusingon
raceinmyresearch.InthefutureIwouldpickonecategoryandmakemyquestionsand
observationsmorefocusedononeaspectofinclusiveness.Throughoutthisentireprocess
Ilearnedtwovaluelessonsaboutcommunityengagementanddevelopment.Thefirst
lessonIlearnedisthateverypersonorparticipantinthecommunityhassomevaluable
insightoropiniononchange.However,itsuptotheleadersofthesecommunitiesto
makeanattempttoreachouttotheindividualinthecommunitytoextracttheir
knowedgleandopinions.Frommyinteractionswiththeparticipantsatthecommunity
center,Iuncoveredalotofgreatideasandamajorityofthemhaventbeensharedor
implementedbefore.ThesecondvaluablelessonIlearnedisthatmanypeopleenjoy
participatingandcontributingtochange.Thejobthenfortheleadersistofigureouthow
peoplecangetinvolvedbasedontheircircumstancesandwhatistryingtobechanged.
Overall,Ifeltmyprojectwentwellingettingpeopleofthetworespectedneighborhoods
andcommunitycentersthinkingabouthowtoimprovethequalityoftheplaceand
invitingnewmembersoftheneighborhoodtousethecenters.Ihopemyprojectwill
serveasacatalystforcommunitycentermanagerstothinkcriticallyaboutthepeople
attendingtheircentersandhowbringinginnewpeople,ideas,andculturescanbe
beneficialtoformingaunitedneighborhood.

23

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Appendix

25

ThesearemyobservationnotesfromRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

26

ThesearethecontinuationofmyobservationnotesatRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

27

ThesearemyinterviewnoteswiththeparticipantsfromRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

28

29

ContinuedinterviewednotesfromRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

30

ContinuedinterviewednotesfromRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

31

ContinuedinterviewednotesfromRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

ContinuedinterviewednotesfromRainierBeachCommunityCenter.

32

33

ThesearemyobservationnotesfromGreenLakeCommunityCenter.

34

ThesearemyinterviewresponsesfromGreenLakeCommunityCenter.

35

ThesearecontinuedresponsefromGreenLakeCommunityCenterInterviews.

36

ThesearecontinuedresponsefromGreenLakeCommunityCenterInterviews.

37

ThesearecontinuedresponsefromGreenLakeCommunityCenterInterviews.

38