ECO C-HEAT Campaign, Summer 2021
A survey of Chelsea's Green spaces
Environmental Chelsea Organizers (ECO), the youth group at GreenRoots, Inc. (a community-based environmental justice organization in Chelsea, MA), partnered with Boston University School of Public Health investigators on the Chelsea & East Boston Heat Study (C-HEAT) over summer 2021. ECO collected data at parks, greenspaces and hydration stations across the cities.
ECO submitted observations at Chelsea green spaces
What is the Data Collection Project?
The Cities of Chelsea and East Boston are Urban Heat Islands. We wanted to know how parks are being used in summer, and if surface temperatures of park features might make these features uncomfortable. While ambient temperature is the actual air temperature of an environment, it may not be the temperature we experience. By measuring park features we can capture temperatures that park goers truly encounter, when they sit on a bench for example.
Environmental Chelsea Organizers (ECO) measured the surface temperature of features in Chelsea parks, recording surface temperatures at various times of the day using surface temperature sensors or “heat guns”. Observations were uploaded to an interactive map with a corresponding photo of the feature being measured.
ECO also recorded observational data at hydration stations located across the city, documenting the number of people at select stations, and their demographic characteristics (ex. child, elderly).
How was data collected?
Six ECO youth visited parks and hydration stations in July and August 2021.
Surface Temperature
ECO members were each assigned a green space or park to collect surface temperature measurements. Three times a week, ECO members visited their designated park and measured features such as sidewalks, benches and playground equipment. Members took measures twice a day on each collection day, once in the morning (9:00 AM-1:00 PM) and once in the afternoon (2:00-5:00 PM). The precise time, place, and position of the surface temperature measurement were entered into an ARCGIS mapping tool, and uploaded to a map of Chelsea and East Boston. ECO members included: 1) a brief explanation of any relevant information about where the feature was placed and 2) a photo of the feature measured. Members also made notes of any important conditions, (i.e. if the feature was in a shady location).
Overall, 14 surface temperature observations were collected Jun 17, 2021to August 12, 2021.
Surface temperatures were collected at: Judie Dyer Park, Voke Park, Cary Square, Meridian St. near Eagle Hill Garden, Parker Street, and on Chelsea St v Coughlin Rd. Five observations were collected at Judie Dyer Park, four at Voke Park, two on Meridian St. and 1 observation was collected at each of the other three locations.
Hydration Stations
ECO members also recorded observational data at hydration stations. Each member of ECO went to a particular hydration station and reported observational data during the morning period (9:00 AM-1:00 PM) or in the afternoon (2:00 PM-5:00 PM).
At each time of collection, observations were recorded over the course of 30 minutes to one hour. Observational data included: the number and demographics of individuals who used the hydration station (i.e. children, elderly), if anyone, use of the water features
Overall, 15 hydration station observations were made between July 4 to August 12, 2021. ECO members surveyed hydration stations at the following locations: Quigley Park, Highland Park, Bellingham Square, Essex St., Meridian St., Broadway & City Hall Ave., Bellingham & Broadway St. Four visits occurred at Broadway & City Hall Ave, three at Bellingham & Broadway St, three at Highland Park, and two at both Quigley Park and Essex St. One observation was made at Bellingham Square.
In conclusion 15 surface temperature observations were made from the week of Jun 17, 2021 to August 12, 2021. (Make note that 4 observations included both morning and afternoon measurements.)
What do we hope to achieve?
Through ECO's work this summer we would like to answer the question: What are the surface temperatures of park features in Chelsea & East Boston? Are hydration stations being used by residents? The maps below show a simplified version of their findings.
How did temperatures vary during the day?
Surface temperature data were collected on park features (e.g., benches, slides, climbing structures) at various times of the day. The average surface temperature recorded across all parks and all times of day was 89.5 degrees F.
The highest surface temperatures were recorded from 12:00 - 1:00 PM, with an average of 97.13 degrees F across all parks. This coincides with the time of day when the average ambient temperature is highest.
The lowest surface temperatures averaging 69.9 degrees F were measured from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.
What were the coolest features measured, and when?
The coolest feature observed was a playground sign at Judie Dyer Park.The feature measured 60.3 degrees F on July 6th, at 5:03 PM.
"The playground sign was directly under the sunlight. There was a slight breeze."
The next two coolest features were benches at Voke Park, at 71 degrees F on July 6th at 6:30 PM, and 72 degree F on July 13th at 7:00 PM, both cool times of day
The July 6th observation makes note that "the bench was wet so it wasn’t hot" and the July 13th report describes that "the weather was chilly."
What were the hottest features measured, and when?
The hottest feature observed was a bench on Parker Street, measuring approximately 123 degrees F on July 27th at 11:00 AM. Ambient temperatures were in the 80s.
'Bench is made of metal and attracts lots of heat. There are no trees around and [ambient] temperatures were in the high 80s.'
The next two hottest features were benches on Meridian Street near Eagle Hill Memorial Community Garden.The features measured 121.4 F on July 22nd at 12:25 PM and on August 12nd at 2:20 PM.Ambient temperatures were 91 F during the July 22nd observation.
Were hydration stations used?
Of the observations recorded, the hydration station with the most use was the Broadway & City Hall Ave. location. Approximately 4 people used the station on July 7th at 2:40 PM.
All 4 people were young children. In fact almost all persons who used the hydration station over the course of data collection were young kids.
Throughout the summer collection period, ECO crew members observed a total of 13 persons using the hydration station on 5 separate occasions. Of the 13 persons 12 were children and 1 was an elderly man.
Overall, hydration stations were most utilized from 1-3 pm.
Where were hydration stations utilized the least?
The hydration station with the fewest users was at Highland and Quigley park.
Social Media as a Heat Awareness Tool
Chelsea's urban heat islands and protected green spaces
Alongside ECO’s data collection, the youth group also developed a social media campaign to increase heat awareness and share information about the heat island effect in Chelsea and East Boston.
ECO crew members investigated topics such as the health effects of extreme heat, Chelsea's history as an urban heat island, and ways to stay cool. This information was shared on their Instagram account to educate Chelsea and Boston residents and build heat resilience.
Overall these observations shed some light on the relation between surface and ambient temperature.
The data supports the fact that high ambient temperatures coincide with high surface temperature. The data collected also shows that the lowest surface temperatures were recorded during the evening and closer to sunset.
Another interesting observation revealed from the data is that hydration stations were almost exclusively used by children.
Photo observations submitted by ECO
We would like to thank ECO crew members and ECO youth coordinator for all their hard work this summer! We hope to work with you again and potentially expand our data collection project!
Check our Chelsea East Boston Study (C-Heat) website and twitter here
