Healthy Parks Equal Healthy People

If you want to stay heart healthy, then communing with nature at your local park is a good first step. People living near parks have greater opportunities to be physically active by running, walking or participating in other heart happy activities. In fact, studies show that adopting an active lifestyle reduces stress and obesity, and may even lower the risks of heart disease and diabetes—making the case for the great outdoors being a gateway to better health

While healthy communities clearly improve the physical and mental well being of adults, don't forget the benefits to another segment of the population: youth. With childhood obesity being a persistent problem across the country, children are facing many of the same medical problems as their parents. Again, maintaining vibrant parks and open spaces are important factors in addressing this problem.

Exposing young people to the joys of outdoor activities in open spaces such as parks helps lower stress, improves physical and emotional health, reduces hyperactivity, and builds stronger immune systems. It also can help mold future generations into individuals who are concerned about the environment, and therefore are committed to revitalizing and enhancing the urban park system.

Breathe Easier

Urban parks also support public health by cleaning the air that we breathe. The leaves of trees and plant life improve air quality by removing toxins—such as carbon monoxide and ozone—that are especially prevalent in cities and harmful to your health. These types of pollutants have been linked to respiratory problems in children, the elderly, and people suffering from asthma.

To ensure that everyone in the community is fit and healthy, it's important that cities have a variety of parks to meet the interests of diverse populations. From parks and playgrounds to greenways and trails, open spaces are critical to helping residents within neighborhoods bond and build stronger, safer, and healthier communities.