Study reinforces the research that spending time in a park, even if you just sit on a park bench, puts you in a better mood

Visiting a local park and just relaxing on a park bench will make you happier, even if all you do is sit.

That's the findings of a new park study conducted by the University of Alabama Department of Occupational Therapy.

Researchers collected data from 98 visitors to three parks in Mountain Brook, Alabama - the Overton, Jemison and Cahaba River Walk Parks.

The researchers reported that

Hundreds of millions of people, including more than 330 million people saw these iconic letters in 2017.

They are all over our national parks.

The letters spell a variety of messages. They identify a park. That pond. A path. An overlook. Everything you see in a park.

Yet, ironically, that familiar, popular type of lettering could only be found outdoors.

That was until Jeremy Shellhorn came around.

Shellhorn worked as a designer-in-residence for Rocky Mountain National Park back in 2013.

The story goes he was creating the park's newsletter when he discovered there wasn't an actual version of the font that is used on all those national park signs, not only the park in Colorado, but national parks across America.

With a little research, he discovered the park signs were actually created by a device called a Computer Numerical Control router that carves the letters into the wood to make that distinctive clean look with the rounded edges.

For all the time families will spend indoors this holiday season - opening presents, eating dinner, chatting and mingling, it might be a good idea to give them the gift of a walk in a park.

The benefits could last much longer than any regular iPad, sweater or bathrobe.

Here's some research on why a walk in a park is a good idea.

Studies have shown:

When mice walk on treadmills, they develop more new brain cells than those that are sedentary Active mice perform better on tests for learning and memorization Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly, have a larger, healthier hippocampus, the part of the brain involved with memory and learning Exercise does not need to be strenuous. One study with students

The innovative Atlanta BeltLine - a 22-mile loop of parks, multi-use trails and proposed alternative transportation linking neighborhoods. (Photo by John Becker - Atlanta BeltLine Partnership)

One of the truly remarkable stories about how parks are created is the innovative 22-mile BeltLine project in Atlanta that was inspired by a graduate student's thesis.

The idea of using an abandoned rail corridor built in 1902 encircling the city first sprang up when Georgia Tech student Ryan Gravel first thought of the idea after he reportedly became frustrated with sources of alternative transportation in the area.

He formed a group called Friends of the BeltLine. Working with some colleagues, he created his proposal and mailed it off to several influential people in the city.

The idea took hold.

The project focused on becoming a pedestrian-friendly rail transit

This holiday weekend when everybody gathers at the dining room table for that bountiful meal, many families will also take time to go outside, visit their local park for fresh air, open spaces and to work off that giant meal.

While Americans express their gratitude for a number of blessings this weekend, one benefit to be grateful for is all those awesome local parks that provide a welcome refuge of greenery across America. From the massive urban Central Park in New York City to small parks in Everytown USA.

Here are some interesting statistics from the National Recreation and Parks Association about how much Americans love their parks.  They also appreciate the efforts of parks and recreation departments to make them enjoyable places for our families:

83% of