Scene Depiction

            Everyone is a part of his or her own community. A community is defined as ”A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common” (Oxford Dictionary). This definition of community is very vague; community could range to a particular religion or just a group of people in a certain city. The community I choose to go to was the community at the arboretum.  The arboretum is the State Botanical Garden of Kentucky and is 100 acres and is open every day of the year. This community in itself could be considered part of the bigger Lexington community as well. I feel like this community consists of three different types of people. There are people who are there primary to get out of the city and see the natural aspects of Lexington, those who are there to exercise and those there to see the different art at the park. I feel like anyone can be welcomed into this community because most people can relate to at least one of the three different aspects of this community.

            The day I went to the arboretum it was sunny but also very cold. I was really surprised to see as many people as I did there on a day that cold. Many people were jogging or leisurely walking around the park. A lot of people also brought their dogs and were walking them along the different trails. I noticed quickly that the people at the arboretum were not all from one age group. There were college students, along with adults and their young children, and even some elderly. People around the arboretum did not really seem to be in any rush, but instead just enjoying there time around the park. Although I had never been to this community before I felt like I could easily fit in here because there were so many people of different ages and they did not seem to be exclusive or judging of anyone who was here. Everyone seemed friendly to each other and many would smile as they walked by each other but that was really the only interactions between people unless they were talking to someone who they came with.

            Although many people were exercising or walking the day I visited the arboretum they could also be here for the nature aspect of the park. Most of the trees have lost their leaves because of the winter the park is still very beautiful because of its nature. There were not many flowers either but this is also because of the time of the year. I have heard that in the spring and summer the gardens are beautiful. The nature aspect of the park to me was very relaxing and peaceful. I feel like many people probably come here because of the nature and it is a nice escape from the city. I would love to see the arboretum during season changes because I can only imagine how pretty it would be. There were many different noises I heard while I was there. Many of them were just people chatting as they were walking, or young kids whining to their parents. Other noises that I heard were dogs barking and a few birds chirping. Although there were these noises it almost felt eerily quiet without the noises of cars and trucks. Although it seemed kind of quiet I felt like the noises you did hear all fit in to the nature aspect of the arboretum. It was very nice that you didn’t really hear many cars so you were even more connected to the natural aspect of the park.

            Something that I was surprised to see in this community was the different form of art throughout the arboretum. In front of the visitors center there is a unique metal sculpture. When I think of gardens I don’t normally think of art sculptures that is why I was really surprised to see this here. I thought it was a good addition though and was very interesting to look at Another form of art that I saw here was an assortment of logs and tree trunks that appeared to be some sort of artwork. I thought this fit perfectly here because although it was artwork it was more a natural piece compared to the other and fit well with the park. Out of all the different characteristics of the arboretum the art is what made me feel more like an outsider to this community. I am not very artistic nor do I know much about art so I felt like I related more to the exercise and nature aspects of the arboretum more then I did to the art.  Although I did not fit in with this aspect of the community I still really enjoyed the art and thought it was very interesting.

            While I was at this community I decided to interview a woman walking through the park. I asked her why she decided to come to the arboretum. She said that it was one of her favorite places to come to take a break from her busy schedule. She said she also loves coming here during the different season changes because it is so beautiful. I felt like I could totally relate to this women and the reason she said she came here. The arboretum just gives off a very relaxing feel and is a very good distraction from every day life such as homework or your job. I think that a certain aroma is almost given off from the park that is very relaxing. At least in my opinion the smell of fresh air and the outdoors is very appealing and just makes me forget about the different stress I have in my life. Besides coming to the arboretum to forget about my schedule I would also love to come during the season change like she said.

            Besides the sense of smell I also physically touched some of the trees in the arboretum. I feel like although they felt like any other tree it just truly connected you with your natural surroundings instead of the busy commotion of your everyday life. Although, I did not physically taste anything here the taste that I would describe it of having would be of relaxation and beauty. The relaxation just goes along with the whole environment even if you are there to work out; most people as they are working out are releasing some of their stress. I think it also has the taste of beauty in both the nature respect and the modern art that is also seen here. Although I think it is a strange place for the metal sculpture to be found I think it is a beautiful piece of art. Just as the art is beautiful so is the visitor’s center building. I think it looks very clean and well kept which makes it very appealing to look at. The nature aspect of course is also the other form of beauty of the park. Between each season I can only imagine how beautiful the different leave changes and flowers are. And I hope to go back more frequently to see these changes.

            Although the park doesn’t seem like that big of a community for younger children one thing that I noticed was the Children’s garden. I thought that this was a really nice place for kids to come and have fun in a more natural setting. I think this is really important for children these days because so much of kid’s entertainment is technology based so its nice to see something that is nature based and fun for kids to play at. The children’s gardens shed is very colorful and bright which I think does a really good job capturing children’s attention and also embodies children’s carefree personalities. I think this is a great place that parents can take their kids and just spend time together as a family because everyone can truly appreciate the arboretum.

            Overall I am really glad that I choose this community to visit. After visiting the arboretum I realized that its much more then just a park. There are so many different activities that can be done here. I feel like this community is extremely welcoming and is very open to any type of person. When you use all your senses in one community you truly learn a lot about it. I never would have realized these things if I wouldn’t have stopped to take the time and truly see what the community is all about. I learned that many different people could be apart of this community and come here for many different reasons. Age does not matter for this community really anyone can come here and enjoy themselves. This is just one of so many different great communities here in Lexington. I really hope to come back here soon to see the different changes of the park and is a great place to people watch since there are so many people who come here everyday. 

Works Cited

"Community." Definition of in Oxford Dictionaries (British & World English).

N.p., n.d.  Web. 20 Feb. 2013.