MOOS-RRT: A Journey of Art, Data, and Nature in Brighton Park

We're thrilled to share the latest developments from our MOOS (Making Our Own Space) project centered around Brighton Park in Cleveland. Our dedicated MOOS RRT students have been diligently working on a groundbreaking initiative to enhance the ecological diversity of the park and the community's engagement with it. This project is made possible with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Cleveland Foundation, in partnership with the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation, Cleveland Metroparks, and the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Meticulously designed birdhouses are at the heart of the students’ project are . These birdhouses are not just charming additions to the park landscape; they're innovative structures housing advanced AI technology. Embedded within each birdhouse is a sophisticated device programmed to record and analyze the intricate melodies of bird songs.

Through this technology, we're providing shelter for our avian friends and gathering invaluable data on their behaviors and movements within Brighton Park. From tracking migration patterns to understanding how birds interact with their environment, the insights gleaned from these recordings will contribute to our understanding of local bird populations and their ecological significance.

The MOOS-RRT team is in the final stages of refining the birdhouse prototypes and collaborating with renowned data artist Jer Thorp to integrate AI technology seamlessly. We're excited to announce that the birdhouses' installation, along with the project's public presentation, is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024.

We invite you to stay tuned for further updates and join us in celebrating the intersection of technology, ecology, and community engagement at Brighton Park.

MOOS-RRT

Making Our Own Space (MOOS) is a design/build program where young people imagine, design, and build improvements to public spaces in their neighborhoods. The program was established in 2015 and currently operates in six Cleveland neighborhoods and two first-ring suburbs.

Making Our Own Space Rapid Response Team (MOOS-RRT) is an outgrowth and expansion of the original MOOS program. MOOS-RRT is an 18-month enrichment program for middle and high school students who have an interest in design and the desire to be active changemakers in their neighborhood. MOOS Students learn valuable skills and have fun while earning a stipend for their participation in the program.

Student participants conduct research and develop design-based solutions to address issues in a Cleveland neighborhood, in collaboration with the staff of Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC), guest designers, and community leaders.

In 2022, MOOS RRT has been working with a project at Metroparks' Brighton Park on Pearl Road and the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The program consists of a partnership with three main organizations: Old Brooklyn CDC, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and Cleveland Metroparks.

The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation is involved in many programs throughout the community, from small business assistance, to promoting a healthier community, to youth engagement and development. Currently, a few youth oriented programs are implemented throughout the neighborhood, including the Crooked River Exploration Camp and various MyCom initiatives.

In partnership with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) was able to develop the Crooked River Exploration Camp. This outdoor camp explores both the natural areas of the Old Brooklyn Neighborhood, and well as the National Park. The camp helps students to explore social and environmental justice issues world-wide, as well as in their communities, shaping a next generation of leaders and activists. Along with the educational components, the camp also offers students outdoor play, hiking, kayaking, and many other fun activities to stimulate their appreciation for the natural environment.

The MOOS-RRT site is Brighton Park, the newest park for both Cleveland Metroparks and the Old Brooklyn neighborhood, which opened to the public in June 2021. Located on the site of the former Henninger Landfill property, this site has transformed from a vacant lot to a vibrant community space.

The new park anchors the Old Brooklyn commercial district. This location provides the students with the opportunity to address Pearl Road safety concerns when crossing between the zoo and Brighton, as well as the safety pedestrians up and down Pearl Road. The 25 acre park also provides many opportunities for MOOS-RRT students to build furniture pieces that provide respite for all, especially those who are aging or those with disabilities. With 45,000 residents being within close proximity, this park not only proves to be a great asset to the Old Brooklyn Community, but to the surrounding neighborhood residents as well. Because of the narrow topography of the park, continued visibility is a design challenge that the students can explore. Multiple furniture pieces enforcing perceived safety and showcasing the depth of the park is something the partners would be interested in exploring with the students further.

The MOOS-RRT program brings residents to the park and highlights the site’s history. Since this park is so new, there is a question of what the community wants this park to be in the future. Through MOOS--RRT youth in the community are helping to shape the long term use of Brighton Park.

For more information, please contact cudc@kent.edu.