Eight People around Rittenhouse Square

Chuck Aronson has been living in Philadelphia for 40 yeas. He came rittenhouse square today to get some sun light. “What I like about here is that it is free place where people can be themselves. What I like least is ....the police. I just got 5 dollars tickets ten minutes ago for riding my bike in the park. They can ride bike of course, but you know, we can’t.”

Hailey Cohn had a doctor’s appointment near by earlier today and decided to stop by at here because it was nice out. Hailey, originally from Vermont, has been in Philadelphia visiting her family since October. She said she would leave Philadelphia in one week. “What I like most is its atmosphere. What I like least is its busy surroundings. It is sometimes hard to across the street.”

Kyle Tomlin has been living in Philadelphia for 45 years. Today he came here to relax. “Although I like a peaceful atmosphere here, I wish more activities were going on.”

Shaun Hamner who lives in Ambler came here today to meet his friend. “I wish it would be bigger, but I like here mostly because I feel like I am not in the city, even though I am.”

Linda Rakhman has been living in one block away from rittenhouse square for 6 years. “I am not visiting here.” She says she is just walking around her neighborhood because it is nice out today. Linda likes the location of rittenhouse square, which is beautiful and safe even though it is in the city. She doesn’t like it when around the square gets over crowded. “I have to be in a long line to do anything when too many people are around. I don’t wanna be in a line just to get coffee. However, it also means that this place attracts many people. So it’s all good. I love my neighborhood.”

Bob, a retired linguistics professor, often come out to rittenhouse square to relax, to read newspapers and especially to keep himself active. He said he had spent most his life in New York City, but he didn’t clarify whether if he is living in Philadelphia or just visiting.
“This park has a good deal of being in city. There are number of coffee shops, restaurants, and a book store around. That’s what I like about here. However, such a heavy traffic, smell of gasoline and brightness of those lights on tree makes me want to leave here sometimes.”

John Policino, a Philadelphia native comedian, now lives in New York City. He is visiting his brother who lives in this area for a couple weeks. John was walking though the park after did some shopping in center city. I like the rittenhouse square in winter time the most. The lights on trees are so pretty. What I like least is… I think grasses should be thicker.”

Diana Hare has lived in rittenhouse square area most of her life. She comes to this park almost every day for a walk with her dog, Mr. Tobey. “This park is my favorite place in Philadelphia. It’s a nice place for people gathering. My least favorite thing about here is that there are rats occasionally. But fortunately, I don’t see them as often as I used to these days.”