While pursuing my masters in environmental humanities, I wrote a paper this week for an environmental psychology class and wanted to share an excerpt with all you jumpers. The basis for the paper was an article by Stokols expanding on Oldenburg’s concept of “third places”. Third places refer to a location where familiar people are seen, the libations are affordable, and most importantly there is an absence of both the “first place”, or home, and the “second place” known as work. In our ever expanding world Stokols mentions “restorative environments” as an added specific third place:

As an avid skier I always seek time away in the snow-covered mountains for getting away from home and work. While the previous two locations, The Jackalope and Coffee Garden, mentioned are traditional urban third places both Snowbird and Alta are not. Oldenburg advocated for the importance of urban third places for the success of a community whereas other scholars, like Stokols, pointed out the importance of parks. A park or other natural outdoors setting is increasingly important as our first, second and third places merge. Stokols mentioned how scholars have fashioned the term “restorative environments” for the 21st century meaning, “those (places) that offer respite from their usual responsibilities and routines and opportunities to replenish mental and physical energy.” For me, this is what Snowbird and Alta represent. Although, I characterize them as a third place because I do socialize there and expect to see familiar faces it is also a place to replenish mental and spiritual energy. Some days consist of talking with friends, taking stops down the runs and exploring new terrain while other days I do not talk to anyone and just ski lap after lap solo. In our over stimulated world I believe it is important to be by yourself in nature or some other way to bring the focus back, re-center and then head back out into the community as a productive member.

What are your third places? Where do you go to replenish energy? —Erin Bragg