Public Places
The conclusions showed clearly that there was convincing evidence of the beneficial impact of just being in green space on both physical and mental health
Public parks provide space for people of all ages to unwind
run-off; alleviating flooding via storm water and rainwater control and management
- Ameliorating the urban ‘heat island’ effect; absorbing particulate pollution; short-to medium-term carbon sequestration
- Stimulating community cohesion; venues for community events and meeting other people; adult personal development opportunities through volunteering; job creation on successful sites
- Providing space for people to unwind, have fun, sunbathe, play music, practice skills, walk dogs, picnics etc.
- Providing areas for quiet contemplation, reading, appreciation of nature and spiritual refreshment
- Money-saving, especially for financially disadvantaged people via use of a free or low-cost local facilities and services; equality and democracy in facilities that are available to all; sites for low-cost active travel and exercise
- Educational resource and venue for all ages; sites for school outings, nature visits;
contributing to children’s development via opportunities to explore, imagine and take risks
- Food production - allotments, ‘Incredible Edible’, community orchards/farms all contribute to healthy lifestyles; it is estimated that 10% of the world’s food is grown on allotments and smallholdings
- Provision of a rich mosaic of habitats for specific types of wildlife/biodiversity; trees, woodland and hedgerows; parks, open spaces and gardens are the UK’s largest ‘nature reserve’
- Cultural/heritage; historic landscape features, heritage items such as sculpture, statues, ornaments, buildings, horticultural features; events, festivals, opera/theatre in the park, carnivals, fun days, circuses and fairs, bonfires and fireworks, Christmas carols etc. - all bring the park and neighbourhood to life
- Sport and exercise - 80% of sport is still played on local authority land; improved physical health and well-being from exercise
- Play - formal playgrounds give opportunity for physical challenges, whilst informal play areas develop social and language skills and imagination
- Health value - see below
The role of parks and green spaces in health and well-being
In the 1990s, Dr William Bird, a family GP from Berkshire, started the health walk and Green Gym movement following concerns about some of his patients finding it difficult to get motivated to exercise. He was so convinced of the efficacy of walking and taking exercise in green spaces, as separate from the gym, that he collated together all available research to support his belief that spending time and walking in green space is good for your health. In 2007, he published a synopsis of his findings in his book, Natural Thinking, and the conclusions showed clearly that there was convincing evidence of the beneficial impact of just being in green space on both physical and mental health. In 2010, he was awarded an MBE for his work. The evidence showed that merely being in good quality green space for fifteen minutes
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