NaNoWriMo 2015 Project

Day 17 - Setting Description - Contest #3

Saturday, Oct. 17
*Required: Contest Round 3: Setting Description ▼
Describe a setting in words. Use all five senses and make your reader experience the setting as if he or she were there. Add the description to your setting database (if applicable.)

*Submit your ITEM or ENTRY number by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday, Oct.18 to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of this IM Console . If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you may still post your assignment completion for the grand prize per the standard Prep guidelines.


The Heritage District of downtown Kitchener lined the edge of Victoria Park. Even with the coolness of fall creeping into the season, the grass was still lush and growing. The trees' tall, sturdy trunks stood as guardians of the area. Their foliage turning vibrant shades of red and yellow, though some green still remained, stubborn in its desire to not forget summer. The smell of fall hung in the air.

Flower beds were empty, having had their flowers torn from the earth at the end of September. Now the beds looked dark and earthy, ready for the long winter hibernation.

Squirrels ran this way and that, foraging for whatever they could find.

Geese fed in large gangling groups along the pathways and river that flowed through the park. Their deep honks rumbled as they moved along, grazing the grass, muttering to each other. The more chipper Mallards barked out their laughter as they paddled and glided along the river's smooth surface. Occasionally they took fight in a whirlwind of fluttering and feathers then landed with a splash not too far down the river.

Children's laughter trilled on the breeze that ruffled the leaves and tumbled the fallen along the ground. Over at the playground the children ran and scampered over the bridges and bars that made up the equipment. Older parents and grandparents sat along the benches that lined the playground's area. Younger parents jumped and follow their youngster's about, enjoying the excuse to play. Farther off, older children could be seen tossing footballs and baseballs with their friends. Their calls and laughter mixing and carrying on the breeze.

The splash pad was deserted... dry and empty.

Other people walked dogs along the trails enjoying the warm sun that has graced this day. Taryn herself had joined this group, though she had no dog, she had her refill mug filled with Balzac coffee from the shop at the end of her block, a short walk away. She crossed the bridge to the island and smiled at a girl who had a kitten balancing on the top of her backpack. The girl held her bike still as she looked up to make sure the kitten has settled into a more secure location.

Taryn followed the trail and crossed the other bridge taking her to the other side of the park. Here she passed a group of people moving through the graceful moves of Ti chi. She slowed to watch them, deriving a calmness just from watching.
She passed the community building, which was quiet today. She could see the children moving around the playground - running, jumping, laughing and calling to each other. Their energy swirled and lifted. She moved down to the farthest bridge where the geese grazed and the fish could be seen just below the surface of the water. Their grey shapes undulated. The occasional orange and white fish darted across her view then disappeared into the depths.

She crossed the bridge and on the other side looked up at the apartment building Carson's sister and her husband lived in. They lived so close to the park, but rarely ventured out to walk the trails or feed the birds.

She slowed her pace to let a group of Canada geese move across the trail before her. She told them not to worry, to take their time, they are safe and they seemed to nod, acknowledging her words as they passed. She followed the trail back along Jubilee Drive, then checked to make sure the traffic was slow enough to let her cross as she returned to the older house on Water Street where she has just moved in. It was a grand old home, renovated to meet the new owner's needs.

Taryn found it comforting here in this old part of town, the Heritage District. Such a difference from the cardboard cut out houses in the newer subdivisions, where she had lived with Carson. Here, her spirit soured. She felt stronger here, like a part of herself she hadn't know was missing, had come back to her. Things were looking up.

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