Prologue

My approach to this project began by selecting a place I have never visited before.  I decided to check out Berlin Park in New Jersey since it was relatively close to my home and I’ve driven by the park several times.  My intention was to compile research on the park by taking pictures and tweeting information about the photos I took.  In the beginning, I really didn’t have any ideas as to where I was going with this Twitterive assignment, but eventually, after spending some time at the park, everything seemed to fall into place.  First, I would take pictures of pretty trees, flowers, animals, and just basically everything I saw which really surprised me, because I found the park to be quite lovely, even though I had a preconcieved notion about it not being very  impressive.  Like most parks around where I live in New Jersey, there seems to be a commitment to keeping a little nature amongst the playgrounds and tennis courts, and Berlin Park wasn’t any different.  After I took in the general landscape of the park, I started to notice things that I felt didn’t belong there.  For instance, I found several cigarette butts, bottles, some elements of construction, vandalism and general trash sprawled around the park.  Soon, the beauty along with the some of the beast would be captured on my camera to be later documented on Twitter.  At times, my tweets were pure description of what I came across, but some of my other tweets proved to be a springboard for future writings I included in my Twitterive.  While I worked on this project and visited the park, I started to find myself getting aggravated by what I viewed as a lack of respect for the park and nature itself.  Little did I know, these feelings would inspire the writings I’ve included in my Twitterive.  My Twitterive has been broken down into four basic genres:  haiku, photo essay, letter, and a script I created for Action News.    

My Tweets and Pictures

#twitterive big family of ducks followed geese leaving no one behind
#twitterive plenty of pretty green moss surrounding tree trunks like blankets
#t #twitterive hide the food! http://twitpic.com/2o7w1ywitterive towards the middle of the park lies a cozy pond for the ducks to swim in on hot days like 2day
#twitterive hide the food! http://twitpic.com/2o7w1y
#twitterive something is missing! Bottom looks like foot http://twitpic.com/2o7w2z
#twitterive cute family no one is left behind http://twitpic.com/2o7w3g
#twittertive slow pokes! http://twitpic.com/2o7w3y
#twitterive swim http://twitpic.com/2o7w49
#twitterive you blinked first! http://twitpic.com/2o7w53
#twitterive geese http://twitpic.com/2o7yal
#twitterive http://twitpic.com/2o7zro
#twitterive pretty stonework as I enter the bridge http://twitpic.com/2o86in
#twitterive trees bend down to see their reflections http://twitpic.com/2o8l7u
#twitterive wish my camera was picking up the fishies http://twitpic.com/2o8l8o
#twitterive sorry for dup tweets, phone took a long time to upload:)
#twitterive ten court OS fenced in by various shades of green http://twitpic.com/2osafx
#twitterive a path into the woods http://twitpic.com/2osagy
#twitterive a park-like setting but 1 of these trees is bending over http://twitpic.com/2osaiy
#twitterive a patch of brown dirt fades to shades of green http://twitpic.com/2osnlo
#twitterive white, light & delicate yet it holds its own http://twitpic.com/2osnn6
#twitterive dark reds, browns & gray http://twitpic.com/2osnnc
#twitterive driftwood pausing for a nap in the green http://twitpic.com/2osnnt
#twitterive new life clothed in pink http://twitpic.com/2osnnz
#twitterive tiny white flowers reach for the sun http://twitpic.com/2osnoz
#twitterive why? http://twitpic.com/2osnpc
#twitterive odd looking green bush infringing on tree http://twitpic.com/2osnpx
#twitterive strong, weathered roots stretch out to grass http://twitpic.com/2osnqr
#twitterive park meeting...who invited the squirels? http://twitpic.com/2osrgd
#twitterive a path to nature http://twitpic.com/2osrh1
#twitterive the robin rests on a soft bed of greens & browns http://twitpic.com/2osrit
#twitterive fall is making its presence known http://twitpic.com/2ss6i8
#twitterive pretty red berries rest by the waters edge http://twitpic.com/2ss6la
#twitte #twitterive more evidence of a lack of respect http://twitpic.com/2ss9ly
#twitterive a mossy path leads to my next adventure http://twitpic.com/2ss9ke
#twitterive tiny treasure http://twitpic.com/2ss9nn
#twitterive nature fights back, don't trip! http://twitpic.com/2ss9q8
#twitterive litter encroaching on hints of purple loveliness http://twitpic.com/2ss9s0 
#twitterive shroom lounges in its petite forest soaking up the rain http://twitpic.com/2ssdf2
#twitterive golden reminders of fall http://twitpic.com/2ssdg2

Part I:
New Life Clothed in Pink

Pretty Pink Petals
Quietly bask in the sun
Awaiting full bloom

Part II:

Why is Natural Beauty so Easily Taken for Granted?

Vibrant shades of green kissed by sunlight

Locals relax and enjoy the beauty

A patch of brown bathes in the gentle ripples of green merk

Machinery rips into the earth for better or for worse...not sure yet

Apathetic smoker casts its harmful habit onto the living

Shitty speller inflicts pain on the innocent

Part III: 
The Letter

Dear Action News Team,

            I’m writing to you today, because a place that I love is being abused.  I live across the street from Berlin Park in Berlin, NJ and this is where I used to spend most of my free time.  Berlin Park was a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature or to catch some exercise, like a brisk walk along the waters edge.  The park was also a safe place for children to play, but not anymore.  Recently, I’ve been noticing more litter along the pathways and an increase in vandalism as well.  I have walked this park every morning for the last fifteen years, and now I feel like the park is being robbed of its natural beauty that I have enjoyed for so long.  Since the litter is getting out of control, I started bringing bags with me on my morning walks so I could help keep the park clean, but I’m only one person.  About three days ago, I noticed a nasty message containing foul language carved into the wood railings of the bridge.  Finally, last night while I was taking Twinkie for a walk, we ran into four male teens drinking in the woods.  I asked the teens to move on and to clean up their mess, but they responded “F… YOU OLD LADY!  I scooped Twinkie up in my arms and we ran home never looking back.  Please help the citizens of Berlin take care of this problem.

Sincerely,

Martha Brooks 

Part IV: 
The News Story

Video

 Waterview picture displayed in background while anchor speaks, then both fade to picture of an intimidating large group of teens in black in white

Camera on anchor with picture of ducks enjoying the water in the background  

Camera shifts from anchor to Martha as they speak while children play on playground close by  

Camera zooms in on Martha's face



Camera focuses on both anchor and Martha then switches to carving on bridge blurring out the word "Shity" and pans to shots of litter  


Camera drops down to Twinkie the dog sitting at Martha's feet, then back to anchor  


Cut to pre-recorded interview between anchor & sheriff  


Interview still rolling  


Interview still rolling
 

Interview still rolling 



Live camera back on anchor at park  



Cut to next story

Audio
 
"Are our local parks under attack?" 


"Today, I'm standing in Berlin Park in New Jersey where I'm meeting with  concerned resident, Martha Brooks."
 
"Martha, can you tell the viewers about the changes you've witnessed during your recent visits to the park?" 

"Well Nidia, Berlin Park has been a fun, safe place to enjoy the outdoors throughout the years, but recently there has been a rise in the amount of litter, vandalism, and at times, violent behavior." 

"In fact, just a few nights ago, teenagers were drinking (illegaly) and causing a noise disturbance, which frightened poor little Twinkie and I."  


"I spoke to the local sheriff, Bill Hayes, and this is what he had to say about the recent incidents that have taken place at the park."  


"Sheriff Hayes, what actions are being taken to ensure public safety at the park?"  

"Nidia, we are stepping up our evening patrols of the park, so we can lower the number of disturbances."  

"What about the litter and vandalism problems sheriff?"  


"We are looking into those issues as well, and for those who continue to litter or vandalize the park, well, let's just say they will be facing very heavy fines when they are cought."  

"There you have it folks.  Hopefully with the help of the Berlin police department and concerned citizens like Martha Brooks, Berlin Park will be a safe place for all to enjoy again."

Stay Tuned...

No One Listened

A call for help gone unanswered,

natural beauty has been stolen.

 

Little, living things fled in the night,

no reason to stay now.

 

Greens and browns uprooted,

their flesh has been torn.

 

From grafitti to corporate,

concrete crushes my hopes.

 

My lush paradise fades,

but my search marches on.

 

            -Martha Brooks

             formerly of Berlin, NJ.