Benefits of Parks in Cities

Did you know that...

• 2/3 of older adults who visit parks report moderate or high levels of physical activity during their visit.
• Active users of public parks have a lower body mass index (a ratio between weight and height) than did people who use parks passively or not at all.
• People who visited for longer periods of time (one hour or more) had significantly lower systolic blood pressures than those who only stayed for short periods of time (less than one hour).
• Park users who were more physically active and who made frequent contact with friends through their leisure time were less likely to report feeling depressed.
• Users of a community-based senior wellness program had significantly higher endurance levels, even after controlling for their level of physical activity.
• Stress relief, clearing one's mind, and exercise were the most common benefits that older adults attributed to their park visits.
• People who visited parks with companions (as opposed to visiting alone) reported significantly higher levels of physical health.
• Citizens who had better access to parks, visited parks more frequently, and engaged in physically-active park behaviors also made fewer visits to their doctor (for reasons other than a regular check-up).
• People who visited parks more frequently were more likely to have a positive perception of their general health.
• 50% of older adults who participated in light to moderate aerobic park activity reported being in a better mood after visiting parks.
• Research subjects who drove through a simulated park environment recovered more quickly from stressful situations than those who drove past a simulated environment dominated by built structures.
• Older adults who engaged in a broad repertoire of park and recreation activities were more likely to report higher levels of perceived physical health.

From here.

The benefits of parks are amazing and not to mention they are just a great escape from the concrete jungle and transport.