Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium

Since June 14, 1898, the Pittsburgh Zoo has been a visiting site for many tourists, those who live in the neighborhood, people who live out of town and opens up its gates for school field trips. It is green, clean sociable place. This historic place attracts people because of the animals that are homed in the zoo. From lions and tigers and bears to wildcats’ and Dory from Finding Nemo. This exhibit offers many attractions and looking sites for those young and old and is convenient for those who are inaccessible.

There are many things that attract people to this place. It considers many cultures and traditions. When going to the zoo, one can find that it is a fun and active place full of experiences and educational lessons.

I have visited the zoo and other places like this attraction many times and after having the chance to observe not only the animals but the people surrounding what helps to keep this exhibit running, I was changed by what I found. I was able to observe people interacting with each other. Whether it was an awkward first date, friends or family members gathering, I saw interaction. I noted that when the little children were unable to see the animals, the adults picked the child up and helped them. The parents did more than attend to their children. They seemed to enjoy their time just as much as the children did. To me, that is what should be the motive behind building things like a zoo or an amusement park. Because for some people, this is not just a place to observe, it contains a place made of memories, experiences and keepsakes.

I approached the zoo with numerous questions from my assignment and various things that I was required to observe during my time. In this project, some of the things that I observed that made the zoo a successful place where: its sociability, the uses and activities, and how accessible the Pittsburgh Zoo was.

1. Sociability Places to sit/ socialize

To the left: These chairs only allowed for a minimum of three people to sit at a time. The single seating admitted people to only interact with each other by talking side by side. Also, many of these benches were located at random places throughout the park. Although this helps for people to communicate, it does not fully do the job. This is because when people go to the zoo, people most likely travel in groups that are more than three. Families travel together. This means that they are likely to carry wagons, have older people with them and have and to carry more than just a purse (diaper bag, etc.). If a family were to rest at one of these single benches, it would be inconvenient. Due to situations like: more than three people wanting to sit down and not having anywhere but the ground to rest the things that they are carrying.

Solution: I feel that it would benefit the public more if they were to add a wooden surface next to the benches so that people could be able to access their luggage more easily and to have a place to set it down. Also, if adding only single benches, maybe it would be more beneficial if benches and or chairs were added across or next to each other and in places that typically have more people so this allows for more open communication and for more people to have time to rest.

To the right: from having two benches next to each other, families are able to enjoy their time as a group. These benches were located within the exhibit and were not in the way of other people. These seats made sense because there was a view to look at and people should not feel worried about having to sit down for a quick second. Visitors can relax and enjoy their view and break while interacting with who they visited the zoo with.

Places to sit

I also observed people sitting/standing on the rocks around the zoo. Mostly, people were standing on the rocks to get a better view of what they were seeing. When I observed this, I questioned if whether or not this was what the rocks were there for. If they were there people to stand on, the locations were inconvenient.

Also, I took note of the public attractions for people to sit when at the zoo. Places like this included: in front of water fountain in the beginning of the zoo (bottom right) and seating for shows that the zoo frequently holds (top right).

The zoo offered stairs so that children or even adults were able to get a better view of the animals. I was interested in this because I appreciated the fact that when the place was built, the workers took in the

consideration of the public.

The last set or seating that I captured were the benches that were under pavilions or inside. This is beneficial for weather predicaments like rain and for shade to stay out of the sun. These seats were

placed in the midst of where most people interact. The middle picture was captured in the middle of the zoo. I feel that this is a good place to put seating due to the food and desert places that surround this

area and because it is located in a place where visitors’ are halfway done with their tour. I see this as the “halfway mark”. The middle picture allows for rest and may make families aware that they are almost

done in their time at the zoo. There were many seating areas like the picture on the right. This is a place for picnics or for students from schools to meet up for lunch or to check in. When in the aquarium, the

zoo was preparing for an event which accounts for the seating in the picture on the left. Otherwise, those tables and chairs are never there. There was also a dance floor being set up. From visiting the zoo many times, I was able to see what it is like without the setup and I feel that it is more beneficial without

the tables or chairs. I viewed this as a inconvenience because it gets in the way of other people and there is only so much room in the aquarium as it is.

When it comes to the seating and benches at the zoo, there is more than enough space in the walkways for people to get by. The seating for the most part, does not obstruct the view of others nor get in the way of people passing by. It is accessible for those who are in wheelchairs, disabled or have strollers. When walking through the zoo, there are no chairs so that everyone is able to make their way around the park. I found this beneficial because it is not difficult for anyone to tour the zoo.

I took note of some of the changes that I feel would benefit the zoo. For example, adding more seating so that families and friends are able to face each other when talking and more seating inside of the restaurants.

2. Uses and activities

The animals are the main reason as to why people are attracted to this place. Other than the obvious reasons, there is a lot of greenery located within the park; there are trees, grass and some flowers. I like

that this place has greenery because it adds more of a nature affect to the park. The animals seem to live in a safe and secure habitat and their homes, as well as the zoo seemed to be pretty well taken care

of.

3. Access and Linkage

There are many signs throughout the park that direct and guide visitors during their journey through the zoo. This is important so that there is a sense of direction within the park and so

that people do not get lost. The pathways that are structured throughout the park make it easy for one to lose their way or for one to miss an exhibit due to loss of direction. There was a sense of conuinuty during the journey through the park. There was a peaceful flow in most parts when

walking because of the pathways. The zoo is a very convenient place for those who have a difficult time walking. The signs provide warning, and information about the animals. The signs

are useful in helping with the flow of direction and how to get access to places to eat and restrooms.

4. Comfort and Image

Although the zoo is a place for mostly children, it accommodates for the adults as well. There are activities, petting zoos, toys, and a huge playground for the children to interact and play with friends or siblings’. There are crawl spaces so that children are able to get a better view of what the animals are doing and they are even able to pet a sting ray in the aquarium. As for the adults, even though it isn’t

much, there are landmarks and statues so that their interest is drawn more to the site that they are at.

There are many places within the zoo that I noted where people would stop to take pictures (middle right) as well. The zoo also allows for people to get a closer view to what they are seeing.

When at the zoo, nothing seems to get in the way of what the visitors are to look at. The only thing that I noted which made it difficult for others to see was the barriers that protected us from the animals. If

those were to be lowered or there

When walking through the zoo, I found little recommendations for improving how this place is set up. I would be easier, helpful and convenient to the public of the following changes were made:

-More seating inside and outside (facing each other for interaction)

-More signs so that we are able to understand exactly where and what we are supposed to see so that visitors do not miss exhibits

- More advertising because the location of the zoo is not exactly easy to find

-More stairs or escalators for people entering and leaving the park

-More restaurants or life (gas stations, ice cream places, etc.)surrounding the zoo

-When at the zoo, I noticed many people taking notes and doing school projects. Benches with a surface would be beneficial for taking notes or gathering materials.

- More help stations and employers walking through the park

The zoo is a place of tradition for me and my family. Every summer, we make it a point to make a day of spending time with each other and to see the animals. Places and attractions like the zoo are helpful in bringing people together. In the summer, the zoo is a extremely public place for tourists and those who live around Pittsburgh. Not only is the zoo a place to explore, it is a place to learn and to be educated on our animals.