Through interviews with park users at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, several key themes emerged about winter park usage: 1. Convenience and recreation were the most common reasons that subjects visited the park, with many citing the maintained trails as convenient for running or dog walking. 2. The park continues to provide health, social, and environmental benefits in the winter through activities like fitness, hiking, fishing, and socializing. 3. Factors in the park's winter success included well-maintained trails that allow for multiple activities even in cold weather, as well as programmed and unprogrammed areas that encourage continual usage.

1. ADAHAYDENPARK winter research
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Ada Hayden Heritage Park is located in north
Ames off of Grand Avenue (US Highway 69). The
park, itself is 437 acres including and old rock
quarry and constructed wetlands that now serve as
Ames water supply. It has approximately 5 miles of
trail 3 of which are ADA accessible, and amenities
that support activities such as fishing and
picnicking. Wetlands and prairies have been
established to support natural water filtration,
wildlife habitat, and nature observation. The park
has no problem filling its parking lot. Despite the
temperatures, Ada Hayden is always full of activity
late afternoons and on the weekend.
Parks are typically perceived as space users would
utilize heavily in warmer temperatures; they are
hubs for recreation, social interaction, and
wildlife/nature observation, which have health,
economic, social, and environmental benefits.
How is Ada Hayden used in cold temperatures?
Does it still provided the same benefits it does in
warmer temperature? What makes Ada Hayden
successful “cold weather” park?

2. ADA HAYDEN PARK research | mapping 05
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PhotographCredit:Wolf.Oesterreich
WINTER MAPPING | ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK
How is the park used in the winter? • Does it provide the same benefits as it does in warmer temperatures? • What makes it successful?
Mapping is used to collect data for demographics,
activities, behaviors, path, and perception of
environment. Two methods of behavioral mapping will
be used to collect data, place oriented and subject
oriented. This will provided a mix of quantitative and
qualitative data. Cognitive mapping will be used to
collect users awareness of surroundings. Subjects will
be asked to draw Ada Hayden as they see it (by route,
activities,landmarks,etc.). The strategies used here are
similar to a research study in Cary, North Carolina.
They collected their data at Walnut Street Park to
answer the following research question. What is the
relationship users’ characteristics and diverse
settings in the park? What is the pattern of social
interaction in the park settings? Their goal was to
reveal how subject see public parks and to understand
the relationship between behavior and their
environment. Behavior mapping included user profile,
behavior, level of physical activity, group size, group
characteristics,and shade. Cognitive mapping was pair
with interview questions to collect user preferences
and actual use. According to Zamani,Lee
and Pipp’s, Diverse Park Settings and Users' Behaviors
and Preferences, “the results of the behavior mapping
combined with other methods of data collection
revealed difference between the pattern of use and
preference for setting while in some aspects they
confirmed each other.
Many studies have researched desires lines in
landscapes such as campuses, parks, and urban areas.
Desire lines are a form of trace measures used for
better trail, sidewalk, and/or pathway design. A study
conducted in Edmonton, Canada, Drawings We Have
Lived Mapping Desire Lines in Edmonton, maps these
desire lines in recreational park, neighborhoods, and
urban areas. Trace measures that left evidence of
activities user part take included dog wastes that
owners did not dispose of, while others owners used
dog bags that were place in trash receptacles. Off path
trails and desire line were the most abundant for of
trace measures. Ice fishing show prominence with
traces of paths across the iced over lake, bait left over
dumped near shore, and holes left in the ice. Other
activities identified by trace measure included biking,
sledding,and hiking.
Mapping data and trace measure confirm Ada
Hayden is highly used cold weather park. While cold
temperatures might reduce the amount of time spent a
park, the same brings users, such as ice fishers and
sledders, to the park. Ada Hayden continuously
provides health, economic, social, and environmental
benefits year round. Users participate in activities at
different levels of intensity ranging from sedentary to
vigorous, which concludes that people are using the
park for more than physical health benefits but mental
health benefits as well. Maintenance of paved trail and
amenities are consistent and well kempt, which
contributes to subjects using the space rather than
local sidewalks and streets.
Behavioral Mapping data collection consisted of 21 subjects. From that pool of users behavior types were established. Each behavior type has certain characteristics the subjects fall
under and subjects can obtain more than one behavior type. Below are the Behavior types and descriptions.
Cognitive maps are collected onsite and offsite. Subjects are approached along the paved trail on site while subjects off site are
chosen based on gaps in variety of users and familiarity of site. Seven total cognitive maps were collect 5 on site and 2 off site.
WALKER SPORT LONE WOLF SOCIAL BUTTERFLY REGULAR PEACE SEEKER NATURALIST DOG WALKER ADVENTURER OBSERVER
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Desire Lines
RESEARCH|RESULTSSUMMARYRESEARCH|RESULTSSUMMARY
SYDNEY SHELL
Winter Users| Through behavior and cognitive mapping, an
understanding of how people perceive and use the park in the winter
reveal social, economic, environment, and health benefits.

3. ADA HAYDEN PARK research | observation 05
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Runner with headphones in no emotion focused on task at hand. • Subject and handicapable dog with wheels walked slowly. Dog had lots of energy,owner appeared delighted and caring. • Photographer slightly of the path timid and
unsure. • Runner no emotion. Acknowledge others with the smile and nod. • Roller bladder with dog. Smiling with high energy. • Brisk walker focused but friendly with passer byers. • Two observers alert/amazed on the docks. Relaxed
pacing the dock. • Group of three walking blank faced,focusing on their walk. • Two roller bladders content. Smiling chatting amongst themselves. • Couple happily holding hands walking. • Photographer walking off path through
wooded area. • Man with two dogs off leash on the outskirts of the park away from the path. • Walker happy and focused assuming activity is for fitness. • Couple with binoculars and open body language and high energy. • Older subject
on brisk walk with a constant smile on face. • Friends chatting with high energy on a walk. • Volunteer on bike alert. • 2 men walking facing inward holding conversation using hand gestures • “ I started my walk heading west. The
paved path had been plowed and maintained. The temperature was approximately 20 degrees. Elderly couple are walking; both are alert they smile and greet passer-byers. There is a genuine sense of happiness and/or relaxation/release
in posture and facial expressions. Two dogs meet and become tangle as owners struggle to untangle them. Owners are amused and exchange words with another till they are on their way again. Geese fly overhead noisily,some look up
to observe while others keep trekking on. A runner wizzes by with headphone on focused. A lone walker alert and taking in his surrounding not much emotion in his face; he is quiet and reserved but nods and smiles as I pass. There are
joggers across the lake in the distance along with a cyclist. Some ice fishers coming to view along the outskirts of the lake. The environment along the path becomes restorative and peaceful; there is high vegetation along stretch of path.
Coming around a corner two ladies are chatting as the walk briskly. They have lots of facial expressions they smile and acknowledge me as I pass. Another elderly couple are walking leisurely watching all the activity taking place. They
have outward posture getting that sense of happiness and relaxation again. Passing by another dog that comes up to check me out. I smile and scratch his ear and talk with the owner who seem very generous and happy to be here. A
group of three gathered on the bridge look at the geese that rest in the middle of the lake. They are pointing and chatting in and cheerful mood as they observe. As I reach the far East section of Route1 there are people scatter up and
down the trial some are starting there run headed south with a burst of energy. There are two people lollygagging towards the parking lot as their walk comes to the end a deep sigh and smile follows as they reach there car. A young lady
runs by with earphones as enter the parking lot. A large group of guys head toward the ice and start an impromptu game of hockey; there voices carry as they blustering carry on with the game. Cars pulling in to catch the last bit of
daylight as I exit the park.”
Parks are typically perceived, as space users would
utilize heavily in warmer temperatures. They are hubs
for recreation, social interaction, and wildlife/nature
observation, which have health, economic, social, and
environmental benefits. By observing activities,
moods, and behaviors of people in the cold months we
can find gaps in the “typical” park norms. This could
lead to better design choices and additional amenities
to encourage more involvement during winter months.
If a park is being utilized what are some factors in its
success,so it can set as precedent for future parks.
Two methods of observations were used at Ada
Hayden Heritage Park in Ames, Iowa. First , a casual
observation was carried out by walking along a paved
route. This approach will allow for close proximity to
subjects, which will aid in distinguishing facial
expressions and body language to gather first
impressions. Systematic observation was used through
a series of site observations along routes and outlook
points. A checklist was used togather users
demographics and activites.
The major activity subjects participate in is
walking. Outlying activities include photography, tree
climbing, and rollerblading. Majority of activities take
place on the paved trail. Age groups 20 to 40 and 40 plus
are largest user group.). Car was the dominant form of
access while subjects that lived near by came by foot or
bike. Facial expressions and body language display
positive reactions to social interactions and the
surrounding environment. Recurring moments of
genuine relief and relaxation.
The majority of winter usage in Ada Hayden is
confined to the trail system that facilitate multiple
activities and the lake for fishing. Outlying activities
such as sledding and photography lead the ambitious
of trail and in to the snow. Ada Hayden still provides
health, economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Subjects are using the site for recreation and physical
health. The lake and wetlands still serves as water
source providing and economic benefit. Participants
use the space to socially interact with friends,pets,and
wildlife. The biggest factor what trail availability and
access to the park. The trails were kept cleared and
maintained so people were able to use the trail. The
parking lot provided ample spaces for vehicles.
WINTER OBSERVATION | ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK
How is the park used in the winter? • Does it provide the same benefits as it does in warmer temperatures? • What makes it successful?
12% 11%43% 9%
0˚-43˚TEMERATURE RANGE
TIME
NOON -1PM
3PM-5PM
SKY COVERS
WALKING ICE FISHING DOG WALKING JOGGING
DRIVE BIKE WALK
UNDER 20 YRS+ 40 YRS20-40 YRS
OTHER
biking, sledding, photography
25%
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PhotographCredit:Wolf.Oesterreich
SUMMARYSUMMARY
SYDNEY SHELL
Reimagining the Park | Through casual and systematic observation, I
was able to collect data showing how a park is used in cold temperatures.
The results can be used to inform design choices and consideration that
encourage more outdoor involvement in colder areas and time periods.

4. ADA HAYDEN PARK research | interview 05
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PhotographCredit:KevinKane
WINTER INTERVIEWS | ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK
How is the park used in the winter? • Does it provide the same benefits as it does in warmer temperatures? • What makes it successful?
The frequencies of theme descriptors,per subject shows convenience and recreation
are the most prevalent. While recreation is the obvious theme, convenience is an
underlying theme. Subjects knew what they came for i.e. running, fishing, dog walking.
Convenience themes developed as a realization when questions such as,why they choose
Ada Hayden over other parks and trails in Ames where asked. Subject denied cues that
would lead to Escapism, but through Place Attachment signifiers the subject reveals that
Escapism is an aspect that is special or important to them.
Interviewees were emailed and asked if they would be will to answer questions about
Ada Hayden Heritage Park in a recorded interview format. A time and place would be
chosen at the interviewee’s convenience. Questions were formatted with a semi-structure.
The structure started with simple straightforward questions to collect basic information.
The majority of questions required more thought and search for answers with substances.
This section of question was more reactive to the subject’s answers. The final part of the
interview taps into an area the users know best in hopes to reveal detail or hidden qualities.
Ada Hayden has a variety of users. Through a series of interviews,a few users can reveal
major themes that depict how parks are used in winter months. These themes can also
explain what makes Ada Hayden a successful cold weather park. The park’s maintenance,
programed and unprogramed areas encourage users to continually return to Ada Hayden
during low temperatures. They also consistently provide health, economic, social, and
environmental benefits that are exemplified in the transcript data. It is interesting to watch
and listen to the subjects realize how the park really does benefit them and play a role in
their lives.
A few studies capture keypoints in this park research. The Central Park Conservancy
collected a variety of data about park usage over a period of a year at Central Park,where as
Tinsley focuses on an overlooked demographic, in terms of age and ethnicity, where in
actuality the specific age demographic is using the park more frequently which is
confirmed in the Central Park Conservancy data. Catrill plays a unique roll with regards to
methodology and content analysis. He reveals embedded themes, which is important to
understand when analyzing data for psychosocial benefits and also in my case park
benefits through users activities and perception space.
The subjects interviewed are male and female with ages ranging 20 to 60 years in age. Professions include in the sample are professor,
student, and Ames parent. Subjects interviewed have close ties to Ada Hayden and visit the park often.
CONVENIENCE
FITNESS | RECREATION
ESCAPISM
PLACE ATTACHMENT
Subject #3: I come out and run here a couple
times a week. They keep the trails maintained
and I would rather drive a few minutes to run
than to bank on my neighbors shoveling their
sidewalks.
Subject #2: I walk my pup the most; we will
explore and hike in different areas off trail.
Otherwise I like to bike there as well. During
warmer months I kayak.
Subject #1: . There is also in the in middle there is
an old dredged out pond in middle of the property
and that’s a nice place to go.
Subject #1: It’s just tucked away and you can’t see
civilization while up there and it is just nice to get
away..
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RESEARCH
RESULTS
PROCEDURE
ANALYSIS
RESEARCH
RESULTS
PROCEDURE
ANALYSIS
SYDNEY SHELL
Winter Themes | What makes a park successful in the winter? Through
interviewing park user, the results are quite simple and overlooked. It
also the first thing that gets cut from the budget. Maintenance.