Parklet Observations

Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm on a Thursday afternoon

Place: Times Square (Broadway from 42nd-47th Streets)

Weather: Unseasonably warm & windy

Observations: Approaching the parklet from the south, one of the first things I notice is that while a large portion of the street is now delegated for foot traffic, people still seem to prefer walking on the sidewalks.

Even though the blue area is separated from traffic by barriers, people seem to stay on the sidewalk even when there was far more room at street level. There are lots of tourists and families in this area, so getting somewhere quickly might not be as much of a concern. It's also lunchtime, and I'm a bit surprised that several tables are unoccupied as I pass - and various tables remain empty throughout the hour even though it's a lovely warm day. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that sitting at these tables might make one feel on display?

Even in areas where there is no neighboring car traffic, people still prefer to walk on the "curbs" and far fewer (though more than further south) walk along the painted blue areas. Few people cross the areas with tables, unless they are using them. I note that younger people tend to congregate in groups, sitting 6-8 people around a small table if that's all that is available. People seem to sit here for longer periods of time -- perhaps this is a result of it being lunch hour?

One thing that becomes quite evident as I watch people come and go is that while men spread themselves out evenly around a table, women tend to sit closer together even when there is plenty of room. I also notice that people seem rather willing and able to bus their own tables -- there is not a lot of garbage left lying around, possibly due to the fact that there are ample garbage bins available, although I only notice one uniformed custodian throughout the entire hour. I also do not notice any police, homeless persons or many people in business attire.

In Father Duffy square, up on the stairs above the TKTS booth, it is quite evident that people congregate around the edges of the amphitheater seating and only sit in the middle if there is nowhere else to go. One the center is breached, however, it becomes more likely that others will sit in the center as well -- again, likely having to do with feeling on display.

Another thing I notice is that even though this is the middle of Times Square, few people seem to be looking up at the billboards that surround them. The makers of Tic Tacs seem to have seized upon this fact, as their signage somewhat proudly announces the fact that "over one million people will ignore this billboard every day." Not sure how successful an advertising strategy this is, but it's certainly an interesting approach.