The author reflects on a poignant walk through an underwhelming park while grappling with feelings of homesickness. Encountering a quote about the healing effects of nature, they initially feel disillusioned as the park seems lifeless despite their previous beliefs. However, when observing a father playing with his sons, the atmosphere gradually changes, illustrating how community engagement can transform a space. The author's experience emphasizes the importance of intentionality in creating environments that truly restore the spirit, rather than relying solely on nature's presence.
When we are deprived of green, of plants, of trees, most of us succumb to a demoralization of spirit which we usually blame on some psychological or neurochemical malady.
In that moment, I felt like that wasn't true anymore. What Harrison said in his book was only an intellectual or philosophical statement.
The park wasn't anything automatically and it didn't lift my spirit by simply being there. It was through intentional design, and how it is integrated into the community that it became something.
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