Unit: Parks, People and Outdoor Activities

Next walk across the raked sandpit in any configuration. Five people could walk in a row, talking with one another. This will result in a much larger area being covered in footprints. What is the approximate percentage of the total area which has been impacted upon in this second 'wave' of feet? As a group, compare the two percentages. Obviously the second crossing will involve a much larger area of the sandpit. Discuss with the group if this would constitute a greater impact on this area.

Next spread newspaper across the area. This newspaper represents groundcover vegetation. Follow the same routines as outlined above - walk across the area in single file, then walk across the area in different configurations and wearing different footwear (e.g. runners, boots, thongs, barefoot). This time, instead of recording impact as a function of area of the sandpit walked over, record it as a function of destruction of the 'vegetation'. Discuss which crossing involved more destruction. The level of destruction is obviously connected to the ability of the vegetation to recover after the crossing. It is most likely that vegetation will be more damaged by continual trampling when the group is in single file.