My Thoughts on Sustainable Placemaking

McKeldin Mall Observations & Field Report:    Date: October 25, 2018    Time: 2:00 - 2:30pm    Location: Bench by the fountain in the center of the mall The weather was cold and windy. The air was dry and the sky was fairy cloudy. It feels like winter is setting in quickly as just a few weeks ago it was very hot and sunny. By the end of my observation period, I was ready to get inside to warm up. I saw many people walk, run, bike, and skateboard across or along McKeldin Mall. I even saw a golf cart drive through the grass at one point. Other than the people, I looked around at the trees and the buildings of the mall. The large Willow Oak trees were losing their leaves and the buildings looked historic. It made me feel like the mall was in fact a crucial part of our campus. I mostly heard the falling water of the fountain and of the people talking who passed by me. I looked at the walkways across the mall and noticed that they are placed in direc...

1.      The public place that I have selected is McKeldin Mall at the University of Maryland. It is a quad area in the heart of campus and is located in front of McKeldin Library. It is surrounded by school buildings and is adjacent to Campus Drive that runs straight through the center of Maryland’s campus. The mall is a large, grassy, open area that is surrounded by large Willow Oak trees and school buildings. There are many walkways across the mall and in the center; there is a large sundial and fountain. This place is currently used as a place to meet people, a place to relax after class, and play games with each other. Thousands of people also walk, run, or bike across the mall everyday. Many events are also held on the mall. The mall is in great condition and is kept clean. 2.      I chose this place because I think it is the most aesthetically pleasing part of Maryland’s campus. I think it is unique because it is a nice change of scenery ...