In Class: Thursday Class Journal

How much time have I spent on my project so far?
By the end of tomorrow I will have spent around 8 hours on my project.  This includes class time (tuesday & thursday) planning out the rest of my project, mentor meeting, an interview with Tim Logue, writing my interview, research at the Public Library.  As of right now I would round to have spent 4 - 4 1/2 hours on my project so far this week.

What did you do that was hands on?
My interview with Tim Logue is my hands on process for this week... the same as last week... in my project, I think interviews are the most beneficial hands on I can do.  However, I will also be going to the library tomorrow to do hands on research.

What research did you do?
I have spent time planning the rest of my project out, and tomorrow is research day (even says so on my calender) I have an interview with Tim Logue, and will be doing research at the library.  I have also looked into contacting a local community member to interview as well as information about the Ithaca Journal I will be using later on in my project.

Did you meet with your mentor?
My mentor meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, after school.

Do you have at least 3 journal entries?
Yes I do :) They are mostly all in class reflections however.

Were you in class this week?  Did you have and use your journal?
Yes I was.  I use my blog, obviously, for my "journal".  I have a notebook I take notes in during class.

Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was...?

Excellent.  I really have moved forward in setting up the rest of my project!  I have 3 very specific goals set for myself by the end of this project:

• Interview 10 people within the community by my projects end.
• Conduct a local survey of Ithaca (about the Waterfront Trail)
• Write to the editor of the Ithaca Journal (and hopefully have it published!!!!!) 

What are your plans for next week?
My plans for next week include hopefully conducting another interview, more research at the library, and if for some reason I can not secure an interview next week, I will conduct the survey I want to do for my project.

Process Reflection: Week of March 29th

Questions from in class on Tuesday we were asked to answer:

3 Ways I have stepped out of my comfort zone:

• Having three entries a week, on time!
• Keeping up a steady pace on my project
• E-mailing people and taking the initiative in my project to make sure it is moving forward

4 Ways my project has changed:

• Broadened my project from beginning idea, I am now not solely focusing on the Waterfront Trail.
• Interviewing many more people than originally planned
• Looking at the history of politics in Ithaca
• 3 journal entries a week!  I struggled with this at first...

3 Things I wish I had done differently thus far

• Had a better idea planned for my project (what to have done by when)
• Kept up on my journals throughout the whole process!
• Interviewed more people by now

5 Things I have learned about my field of interest, myself, working with others.

• I rely WAY to much on others telling me what to do and when to do it :/
• The Waterfront Trail is a great step towards sustainable transportation in Ithaca
• Politics is the act of groups working together, sometimes things don't go according to plan.
• Planning is very beneficial and a huge step to staying organized and on top of things.
• I am a people person :) and I want to work with people no matter what.

In Class: March 29th

During this Tuesday's class we started off by listening to an audio clip, "Disrupting My Comfort Zone", told by Brian Grazer.

Reflection:
I would say I have gone out of my comfort zone for this project.  I knew that the project itself was going to take me out of my comfort zone.  I do not have a problem with talking to people, asking to interview them and actually interviewing them,  I have gone out of my comfort zone on a personal level.  I know I am one of those people who NEEDS organization and relies on being told what to do, and especially when to do it. 

More people also shared their project process.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK EVERYONE!!! It was great to see more of what people are up too and how it's going.  :)

Mentor Meeting: Week of March 22nd

This week when Ms. Shenk and I met she really helped me set my sights on how much time I had left for my project.  Her advice to me was that I start working backwards.  My previous goal was to have an average of one interview a week for the next several weeks.  Ms.  Shenk pointed out to me we only have 10 weeks or so left to work on our project, and that I might need to step up my expectations a little bit, which is reasonable. 

Reflection: Week of March 22nd

This week I felt very good that I conducted an interview with Rick Manning.  I was able to learn a lot more about the Waterfront Trail and found the interview itself very interesting.  I was surprised to learn the sustainable transportation aspect of the trail, it makes sense to me now and I think it is a very valuable benefit to be gained.  I was also glad to get Mr. Manning's input on what he would personally like to know from the public if I was to conduct a survey.  I can now start making moves on this part of my project.  I am looking forward to my interview with Tim Logue this week. 

I was unable to attend Tunes for Trails at Castaways on Friday evening.  There were scheduling conflicts for those that were supposed to come with me and I did not find out until Friday, and was not able to get a ride. 

Process: Week of March 22nd

For next week, my project planning goal is:

• Spend more time on my project!  Become more hands on, and take Ms. Lord's advice about not waiting for people to come to me and dig in deeper.
• Go to the library at least once before the weeks end.  See what material and references they may be able to supply me with on the history of politics in the City of Ithaca, or the Waterfront Trail.
• Interview Tim Logue on Thursday
• Create a schedule for goals I want to have accomplished by a certain time.  Look at the big picture, and figure out how many weeks I have left.  Plan out interviews I want to have done, as well as when I should submit a piece to the Ithaca Journal and what information I will need to have in order to do that.

*There is also a meeting on May 16th at the Library regarding the Waterfront Trail

Research: Week of March 22nd

The big research I did for my project this week was my interview with Rick Manning. The interview was conducted at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday March 24th, at the Reis Tennis Center in Ithaca NY.

Below is a copy of the interview. 

Q:  How long have you personally been involved in the Cayuga Waterfront Trail?
A: 10 years.  The Trail was proposed in 1997.

Q:  What are your duties in the Waterfront Trail compared to the duties of others who are involved?
A:   Project Coordinator of the Trail employed through Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.  Rick Manning was the one who brought the idea to the County Chamber, in order to build the trail there needed to be a non-profit sponsor which the County Chamber agreed to be.  Rick is also head of the designing and planning of the Trail.

Q:  Where has/does the funding for the Trail come from?
A:  Local Funding:  Foundation Grants, Park Foundation Grants, contributions from the community (include sponsoring the trail by purchasing bricks and benches along the trail).  There is also a fair amount of government funding for the trail.  Rick Manning is hired by the City of Ithaca to write grants to gain funding for the Trail.

Q:  What have been some of the legal obstacles of the Waterfront Trail?  In particular the situation with Puddledockers and Andre Petroleum?
A:  There has been a case of eminent domain during the construction of the trail.  The New York department of transportation has taken over the eminent domain case now.  They have strict standards and guidelines they always follow.

Q:  In your personal opinion, what are the most important things that people can benefit from the Waterfront Trail?
A:  Rick Manning feels if you are going to live in a city, it's better to get around without a car.  Also, it's better both environmentally and economically if people were to use alternate methods of transportation besides cars.  There are also several health benefits to the people that use the trail, mentally and physically.

Q:  On the Cayuga Waterfront Trail website it says the trail will "help Ithaca develop a sustainable transportation system", could you explain this a little more for me?
A:  People are dependent on cars, and there are things that don't help to discourage this.  Buildings and towns are very spread out, and the safety for non car transportation is not that great.  The Trail will provide alternative means of transportation for those that live in the city. 

Q:  Have you received any negative response from the community about the Trail personally?
A:  Yes.  There have been assorted times when there are responses online from the Ithaca Journal website.  However, Rick Manning has received a lot more positive feedback from the community which he prefers to focus on.

Q:  What has been done to promote the Trail in the community?
A:  The Cayuga Waterfront Trail website (http://www.cayugawaterfronttrail.com/), information in the Newsletter, and Rick Manning also believes the trail itself is great promotion.  Many people know and love the trail (phase 1 and phase 3 are complete, phase 2 is estimated to be constructed this year or the next) and are excited about it being completed.

Q:  What are the remaining steps for the Waterfront Trail?
A:  Furnishing the trail, increasing the use of the trail, finish phase 2 of the trail, fund raise money for the trail.  Rick Manning is also currently working on a grant which would provide funding to improve the crossing from Dey Street and Third Street across Route 13.

Q:  Is there a projected completion date for the Trail?
A:  The goal is in 2012 to have the trail constructed all the way.



I also spoke with Rick Manning about my idea to conduct of survey of the public, figuring out who knows about the trail and how they feel about it.  I asked Mr. Manning if there was any information that he was curious to know or would benefit those working on the project.  He mentioned a few things:

• How do people feel about the right of way acquisition?
• Do people see the trail as more useful for transportation or recreation?
• Is the trail seen as a green thing?  In terms of sustainability and alternate means of transportation.