The Park As A Political Space

Parks today,by the oblivious passerby are simply viewed as places with little to no significant meaning.For those that take a minute to think about the function of a park,he or she may only think of the amenities that the park has to offer.Park amenities can include lakes,sports courts,workout equipment,and restrooms.However,this perspective just scratches the surface of the political dialogue which exists.Even if a park's historical origins are lost and the amenities are simply noted,the implications of time and space surrounding the park are still ever-changing and most importantly significant to the hidden political dialogue which unravels itself.The spaces occupied within the interior of these parks are gears that then impact the exterior in tremendous ways.Mark Kingwell describes New York and Shanghai as the most significant machines brought to life by man.I will discuss how parks can function as sites for political discourse,and what the political discourses are at work in Lu Xun Park presently and historically.I will argue that Lu Xun Park is being depoliticized and I will prove this statement through the reference of the political dialogue.