The Importance of Public Space During the COVID-19 Pandemic with a Case Study of the City of Kalamazoo’s Kik Pool

Author

Natalie Baker, Western Michigan UniversityFollow

Date of Defense

4-1-2022

Date of Graduation

4-2022

Department

Marketing

First Advisor

Ann Veeck

Second Advisor

Kevin Huff

Third Advisor

Isaac Turner

Comments

This thesis presents research on the value that public spaces, such as parks and pools, bring to society, with an emphasis on the benefits of public spaces for children. The study begins with a literature review that addresses the effects of shutting down public spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic and describes the impacts on children and parenting styles that resulted from prolonged home confinement. The study then introduces a case study of the City of Kalamazoo’s Kik Pool to provide a firsthand examination of how one public space was impacted during the COVID-19 period. Research methods include surveys from lifeguards, interviews with stakeholders, and my personal experience working at the City of Kalamazoo’s Kik Pool. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the findings and recommendations that stem from the analysis.

Recommended Citation

Baker, Natalie, "The Importance of Public Space During the COVID-19 Pandemic with a Case Study of the City of Kalamazoo’s Kik Pool" (2022). Honors Theses. 3522.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3522

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access