User Experience and Staff Collaboration at
Stanley Park

The purpose of this case study is to understand the ways people use Stanley Park, a non-profit, privately-owned park in Westfield, Massachusetts for recreational purposes. This study also aims to find out what makes a green space appealing to park users. Interviews were conducted with members of the park’s staff as well as members of the public. Research on case studies of other parks in the United States, both public and private, was also conducted. The park director and the staff were interviewed about park usage and management and park users were interviewed about their experiences at the park. The preliminary findings suggest that parkgoers and park administration must collaborate to create a safe and productive space. Findings include that the role of the park ranger is important in fostering a feeling of safety in Stanley Park.