— STORM WATER COLLECTION —
Unpaved ground absorbs water. Trees and grass are a far more efficient—and less expensive—method of managing storm water than sewers and drainage ditches made of concrete. With extreme weather patterns on the rise, an increase in green space could save the city a lot of money.
Don’t believe it? In Garland, Texas they took an
active approach to encouraging private property owners to plant trees on their land. Their tree coverage reduces storm water runoff by 19 million cubic feet during a storm. These measures have also significantly increased air quality, making their urban forest worth $5.3 million annually.
— REDUCTION OF THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT —
The abundance of flat, dark surfaces made up of asphalt and concrete in cities creates what is known as the
urban heat island effect. This makes urban neighbourhoods noticeably warmer than other nearby areas, and is a major factor in smog creation.
Luckily, even a small increase in the number of trees in the neighbourhood can reduce this effect. It can be virtually eliminated from cities through a combination of increased park space and green roofs. Strategic planting of trees and vegetation—this means letting the branches hang over the sidewalk—can
reduce summer temperatures by 1-5ºC.
— CENTER OF COMMUNITY —
Parks provide space for neighbourhood residents to interact with each other and meet new people. They’re also great spaces for events and for people to engage in recreational activities. This allows people to develop a sense of community. A park is perfect for a picnic, a concert, or a farmer’s market—whatever your community feels it needs.
Increasing the number of parks and recreational facilities in a neighbourhood also reduces crime rates, especially among youth. By giving young people a safe place to interact with one another they keep them off the streets and out of trouble. For example, many
American communities have created “Midnight Basketball” programs, keeping courts open late and drastically reducing their youth crime rates. Similarly, when parks are used by many people, there are more eyes on the street, creating a safer environment for everyone.
— CLEAN AIR —
Trees remove a wide variety of
pollutants from the air. Air pollution can increase risk of certain cancers and have adverse effects on children, the elderly and anyone with underlying respiratory problems. It also reduces the distance you can see on a summer day and increases the mortality rate in highly polluted cities.
Even a small increase in the number of city parks or their size can make a big difference when it comes to air pollution. In Atlanta, a U.S. city renowned for its lack of green space—though they are actively working to change that reputation—trees remove
19 million pounds of pollutants each year, a service that would cost $47 million if done by a company.
— MENTAL HEALTH BOOST —
It seems obvious that a place where people are able to make connections, meet new friends and participate in recreational activities is also good for the locals’ mental health. After all, physical health and strong relationships are important to maintaining mental well being.
Yet the
mental health benefits of parks go beyond the obvious. Direct exposure to nature has its own benefits on mental health, reducing stress and increasing happiness. And these effects take place almost immediately. A study by
Finnish researchers found that even ten minutes in a park or urban woodland area could tangibly reduce stress. Participants felt most restored after time spent in the urban woodland.
— A PLACE FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY —
Parks are critical spaces to engage in outdoor physical activity.
The CDC reports that regular physical activity is one of the most important aspects of maintaining health and can reduce the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease, depression, obesity, and even some types of cancer. The health benefits of park-related exercise also extend to children and teenagers.
A study conducted on over 3,000 individuals in Southern California over an 8-year span found that children who lived closer to parks had significantly lower rates of obesity at age 18 than those who did not. Access to recreational programs was also shown to have a significant impact on reducing obesity.
Parks make a neighbourhood more enjoyable to walk through and provide space for popular sports, encouraging physical activities. They provide hiking trails and other amenities designed to get people active. Considering how few Americans
get enough exercise, this is incredibly important, especially for low income families and others who can’t afford a gym membership or classes.
— A PLACE FOR KIDS TO BE OUTSIDE —
Being outside and playing in nature is crucial for the
healthy development of children. Learning to play in nature improves hand eye co-ordination. Regular time in nature also improves the child’s ability to learn and reduces symptoms of ADHD, training the brain to focus better. Children who spend a significant amount of time in nature also experience better emotional stability and improved mental health.
Parks also provide great opportunities for parents to bond with children, and for children to make new friends in the neighbourhood. A big park is also a great place for a child’s birthday, giving them the opportunity to run around safely and learn to appreciate nature.
— PROTECT NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS —
The need for more and better parks in our cities isn’t just about us. Each park has its own ecosystem. They provide natural habitats for many different animals. As cities grow, more and more of these animals find themselves without homes. Parks provide a safe place for many of those displaced by urban sprawl.
Building a healthy network of parks in our city is one major way we can protect these animals and preserve local ecosystems. This also makes parks great places to teach children about the environment and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems.
Parks are crucial to the healthy development in our city, and should be amajor part of any city planning going forward. Parks benefit everyone in the community. They benefit the economy. They provide important habitats for many animals. And those are just a handful of reasons why we need to stand up for the parks, or lack thereof, in our communities.
