park

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 Americans say they benefit from a local park

  • 92% of Americans say local parks are a benefit to the community

  • 4 in 5 Americans say local parks are worth the money spent on them

  • 2/3 of respondents say there is a park or playground within walking distance

  • 79% of people between 21-35 are likely to visit a park

  • 57% of people between 65 and 75 are likely to visit a park

  • 87% of people living in homes with five or more people are likely to visit a park

  • 60% of people who live by themselves are likely to visit a park

  • 26% said they frequently visit a park

  • 44% said they occasionally visit a park

park

Parks provide a myriad of obvious and subtle benefits

Parks are more than just a patch of grass and some trees. There are a number of benefits that we receive from these special places.

Here are some to consider:

  • Personal - exercise, healthy living, relaxation, fun and soaking in the fresh air and sunshine of the outdoors. Studies consistently show exposure to fresh air, sunlight and greenery have tremendous positive effects on a person's health and well-being.
  • Environmental - more and more people are moving to urban areas. That means crowded spaces, congested roads, lots of concrete and air quality issues. Local urban parks offset this with a slice of nature, aesthetics, fresh air, open spaces, and wildlife and that's why parks that are more important than ever for city dwellers.
  • Social - ironically living in a city or anywhere for that matter can be lonely. Parks provide a sense of community, family time, safe environments for kids to play and a place to meet other people.
  • Economic - one of the hidden benefits of parks is the way these oases help attract businesses to a community, generate tax dollars from all their events and activities and increase home values nearby. Studies show a home adjacent to a park has on average a 20% high property value than other homes.
  • Activity-related - with today's sedentary lifestyle, either sitting at home watching Netflix or working at a desk all day, parks provide a myriad of recreational activities such as softball, tennis, swimming, hiking, jogging, bicycling that help us get out of the house and get those body parts moving.

park

That includes our pets. More than 50% of parks and recreation departments report they now also manage a dog park. Dogs were born to run, jump and play. Parks provide a place for them to do this as well.

Of course, everything costs money, including building and maintaining parks. But according to the NRPA survey, most Americans don't mind paying that bill.

  • 4/5 Americans believe that park and rec agencies are worth the average $70 per person spent each year.

  • 43% of men and 36% of women said they would be willing to spend more than $70 to support local parks in their community.

So, enjoy that Thanksgiving feast. But if possible, during all those days off, get the family outside and visit a local park.

Go for a walk. Walk the dog. Throw a football or a Frisbee. Kick a soccer ball. Fly a kite. Bring the binoculars and watch birds. Play tennis. Ride a mountain bike. Sit on a park bench and read a book. Strike up a conversation with a fellow hiker. Go for a jog. Enjoy a meal on a picnic table overlooking a lake or meadow.

These public spaces are yours to enjoy. And while this question wasn't included in the survey, we all know the answer. After you visit a park, just like enjoying a Thanksgiving meal with your family, 99.9% of the time you will leave feeling great inside.

And for that, we should all be grateful.

Next time you see a parks and recreation worker, tell them thanks and you appreciate all the work they do to make your local parks a positive experience for yourself, your family and your community.

Source - NRPA studies in 1992 and 2015.