Contemplative: “You can be lost in your own thoughts”

The participants value the parks as settings that provide opportunities for contemplation and freedom of thought. Portrayed as a breathing space both physically and mentally, the parks allow for freedom of thought characterized by reflection and introspection, the opportunity for considering problems, and spiritual contemplation. A Hagley Park participant states that

“what is really nice about the Gardens, you can just come and sit, sit and think. Nobody disturbs you” (Peg). This ‘inward looking’ focus characterized by introspection and reflection is not only acceptable, but also legitimized in the parks. Nature rich urban parks have been described as venues for “regaining an interior world” (Ward Thompson, 2002). In this research the parks provide a venue to ‘think’.

The following photo (Figure 4.7) represents the view from a place in Hagley Park described as “a good place to sit and reflect” (Peg). The freedom of thought portrayed by the women in this research reflects the concept of “mental space” (Wearing, 1998). The parks are portrayed as venues that enable reflection and introspection associated with their tranquil and nature rich qualities. These findings are supported in restorative environment theory, which suggests that nature rich settings are ideal for achieving a mental state that is characterized by “cognitive quiet” (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989, p. 196) and is favourable to reflection (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Korpela et al., 2001; Milligan et al., 2004; Ulrich, 1983).

Figure 4-7: “A good place to sit and reflect” (Peg, Hagley Park).

The quiet of the setting appears to create an inner quiet that allows for a sense of

thoughtfulness without unwelcomed distractions. The opportunity for reflection is valued by this participant.

It’s a chance to think about where you’ve been or think about what has gone on in your life …It gives me a chance to think about the things that are on my mind (Jean, Boulevard Lake).

This participant agrees that the park is “a place where you can be quiet, even when there are people around, you can be quiet and peaceful on your own, and more introspective”

(Elisabeth, Hagley Park). Clayton (2003) found that natural environments allow people the

“time and space to think about their own values, goals, and priorities” (p. 49). As an element of reflection and contemplation, the parks in this research also provide a venue for directly attending to problems and concerns.

Several participants access the park as part of an intentional strategy aimed at considering and resolving problems. This participant describes the park as a preferred setting to access when problems arise.

You can walk by yourself and be lost in your own thoughts. You can sort things out.

When you have any problems you can just walk around the park and just kind of mentally solve them (Carol, Boulevard Lake).

The park has a positive influence on thinking through problems and concerns, and reducing stress. Immersion in, or even viewing, nature rich settings has been found to reduce stress (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Ke-Tsung, 2003; Korpela et al., 2001; Ulrich, 1983). The nature rich quality of the parks is described by the participants as having a positive effect on stress reduction. This participant describes the powerful influence of walking in a nature rich setting on a reduction in stress, which contributed to an overall improvement to her well-being.

A few years ago when I was very stressed about things, I used to start at the beginning of the walk thinking oh, I’m really stressed out, I better go to the doctor and get myself something, and by the time I finished at the other end I thought, no, I don’t need to. Just from the bush and trees and peace and quiet. Even though I was just on my own, it was just so nice. It totally changed me, as if I’m at peace with everything (Sue, Hagley Park).

During this time of stress, park use replaced the need for health care and, potentially, medical treatment for this participant. This experience of feeling a sense of positive transformation as a result of park use, and particularly contact with nature, is reflected in the photographs and narratives of many of the participants. This participant reflects on the multiple and

interrelated influences on her sense of enhanced well-being.

When I get there I feel sometimes troubled or burdened … then there’s a point when I realize that I’m unburdened, just through moving my body and having a chance to think and be outside (Jean, Boulevard Lake).

The parks are valued for providing a venue that allows for freedom of thought associated with opportunities to ‘think’, and to address problems and concerns. These findings are consistent with previous research on the positive influence of contact with nature on well-being (Maller et al., 2002; Payne et al., 2005). A further element of the positive influence of the parks is associated with the potential for spiritual experience among some of the participants.

Some of the participants in this research engage in spiritual contemplation, as defined and described in the literature on spiritual experiences in natural environments (Fredrickson &

Anderson, 1999; Kellert, 1993; Schmidt & Little, 2005; Williams & Harvey, 2001). The spiritual experiences associated with park use in this research can be characterized in two ways. The first relates to the influence of the park setting, and particularly the symbolic meaning of nature, in creating the foundation for spiritual experience. A sense of awe and feelings of love for the park described by the participants comprise the second aspect of spiritual experience.

For some participants, elements of nature are integral to their sense of spiritual engagement.

The enduring quality of nature appears to provide a pathway to spiritual contemplation. In Hagley Park, the large, old trees, in particular, represent a sense of continuity and

permanence. Contact with nature provides the opportunity for reflecting on the permanence of life. Symbols reflecting the permanence of life provide reassurance and comfort to this participant as she considers her own mortality.

I like this feeling of the continuance of life and I think this is typified in these lovely old trees … There’s a sense of everything continuing, that your life isn’t the only thing, it’s just a little bit of it and these other things go on. You’re just part of nature, like everything else you come and go, but the trees, eventually of course it will go but it will be a long, long time. These old trees like this one have been here for hundreds of years, before I even existed and they will continue long after I cease to exist … It’s a source of strength, I think (Elisabeth, Hagley Park).

The enduring, nature rich qualities of the parks contribute to a spiritual sense of the continuance of life. Cooper Marcus (1992) suggests that this sense of continuity becomes especially critical in later life. Jorgensen & Anthopoulou (2007) agree that reflecting on nature can play an important role in the lives of some older adults when preparing for their own death. The symbolism associated with elements of the natural world has been described as providing a pathway to spiritual experience (Kellert, 1993). For other participants, spiritual experience related to park use is reflected in a sense of awe and wonder, and expressions of love for the park.

The participants in this study express both a love for the park, and a sense of awe for

particular elements of the setting. A reverence for nature has been described as an element of spiritual experience (Fredrickson & Anderson, 1999; Kellert, 1993; Williams & Harvey,

2001). A central theme of the photographs, particularly in Hagley Park, involves representations of the sense of wonder the participants experience while in the park.

You can’t help but be awed by that. The intricacy of it. How it can grow with that perfect design. Impressive. The sense of perfection in all these. Every time you look at it you think it’s amazing. How could anything be so beautiful (Elisabeth, Hagley Park).

At Boulevard Lake many of the participants experience the lake and the scenic views around the lake with a sense of awe. The features of the setting provide a pathway to spiritual contemplation characterized by a sense of wonder and awe.