Reading and Writing, Ha Long Bay, Outdoor Activity

 By Nate Feldman

*MyElt: E-35F84GHTUP8KA (Reading and Writing, Ha Long Bay, November 2023) 

*Go outside and compare/contrast two: parks, restaurants, buildings, shops etc.  Short writing about the places you see.  I will give an example (Monster fingers) 

*Re-read "The Ape in the Office."  Answer questions on P.9-10.  

                                                

                                    Clark Park vs. Valley Forge Park

 

            Parks have been an essential part of our societies since they started being created.  This is where people go to relax, socialize, and enjoy life away from the grind of daily existence.  In and around the Philadelphia area are two spectacular parks that I enjoy visiting a lot.  One is Clark Park, which is located on the SJU campus in University City.  The other is Valley Forge National Park, just outside of the city near King of Prussia.  Although these are two old, important parks in the area, they are quite different. 

            Clark Park is in the middle of the city.  Because of that, it has the feel of a city.  You can hear the sounds of the city everywhere around it.  There is a lot of traffic in the streets nearby.  Also, the population of the visitors is quite diverse.  There are people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds there to for recreational and social purposes.  In addition, there are a lot of food trucks surrounding Clark Park for people to eat their lunch or dinner.  Also, Clark Park is quite small.  It’s only about a couple of blocks long. 

            Valley Forge Park is in a more suburbanized area.  There are highways with cars nearby, but it doesn’t have the sounds of the city.  Also, Valley Forge Park is so much bigger than Clark Park.  There are miles and miles of trails in many directions.  Another significant difference is the purpose of the park.  While people do go to Valley Forge for recreational and social reasons like Clark Park, it is a historical park that is meant to commemorate an important moment in American history.  Clark Park doesn’t have a purpose like that.  Valley Forge’s population can be quite diverse because it attracts a lot of visitors, but in general the local population is not as diverse as the communities surrounding Clark Park.

            To conclude, Valley Forge Park and Clark Park are historical and lovely parks to visit while you are in the Philadelphia area.  They differ in their size and historical importance, but they are both pretty places to relax.  So, I hope you will enjoy your time at both of them.  If you go to these parks soon, you will certainly have a wonderful time.