Volunteering can be a great way to keep your local park clean and safe. Community parks are great places for children to play. They can also provide adults with a space to exercise or destress from work. Here are 10 more reasons you should help out your community park.
Image by LaterJay Photography from Pixabay
1. It Promotes Community Wellness
With remote work growing in popularity, people are spending more time sitting indoors. Parks encourage people to get outside and be more active. Exercise is important for your physical health, helping to strengthen your heart. You should aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
Parks also benefit your mental health. The fresh air can reduce stress and anxiety. If the park is busy, interacting with others may boost your mood.
2. It Can Help the Environment
Fuel emissions from vehicles and manufacturing processes cause increased air pollution. Too much exposure to smog can lead to increased headaches and dizziness. Planting trees can help reduce about 60% of air pollution. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide, lowering the effects of climate change.
This is why it is beneficial to maintain green spaces, especially in larger cities. Planting a tree on arbor day is also a good tradition to follow.
3. They Provide a Space for People to Connect
With the internet, it is easy to connect with people virtually. However, parks provide spaces for people to meet up in person. Those who don’t want to spend money have a convenient space to sit and catch up with friends. For parents, it’s a good spot to plan a playdate for their children.
Interacting with others creates lasting friendships and can strengthen the community. Positive relationships are beneficial for your health by making you happier, reducing health issues, and increasing your lifespan.
4. They Encourage Physical Activity in Kids
With modern technology, kids spend the majority of their day staring at screens. Although, playground equipment can entice kids to be more active. Playing outside allows them to get fresh air.
Physical exercise also has positive effects on other areas of their life, such as:
- Improving their test scores
- Reducing behavior problems
- Lowering signs of ADHD
- Enhancing their cognitive functioning
- Improving their self-discipline
There should be enticing equipment, such as slides, to encourage kids to visit playgrounds. Also, keep in mind you want to provide accessories for toddlers and preschoolers to play on. When working with your community park, make suggestions to update the playground equipment.
5. They Can Improve Property Value
Homes ear parks can be an attractive feature for potential buyers. With the increased desire, property values can rise. A public park or recreational area boosts the property value of nearby houses by 8%-20%. The higher the house values, the more property taxes increase. The government can use the funds from the taxes to further enhance open spaces.
If you live near the park, you can raise your asking price when you sell your home.
6. They Conserve Wildlife Areas
Parks allow for native plants to continue to grow and develop. This gives people a chance to see what type of flowers grow naturally in their region. Preserving parks also helps to protect the habit of wildlife in the area. This also allows for residents to observe these animals up close.
Seeing wildlife may encourage more people to get involved in nature preservation programs.
7. They Create Safe Gathering Spaces
People need to feel like they have a safe place to go, or they will remain indoors. Parks are public places where residents may feel more comfortable gathering with friends. Also, parents may feel safer letting their older children play alone at parks. Some after-school programs or faciticlites have supervised visits to public parks.
By having a safe outdoor space, people can receive the benefits of physical activity.
8. It Can Promote Inclusivity
Parks with accessible equipment for all give kids with disabilities a place to play. Work with your local community to ensure your park has inclusive features, such as handicap-accessible equipment. An inclusive playground also allows children to socialize with people of different backgrounds. This can help to teach them empathy and social skills.
9. It Gives Families a Free Activity
Spending quality time as a family is important. However, most forms of entertainment cost money. The average household spends about $2,482 a year on entertainment. A park is a free option for families to connect and get outside the house. It is also a good way to tire your kids out so you can sleep better at night.
With the money saved, you can focus on paying essential bills, such as your mortgage.
10. They Lower Temperatures
Buildings and roadways can increase temperatures. These structures can create heat islands by absorbing and re-emitting the sun’s rays. Natural landscapes, such as parks, act as cooling areas instead. The increased heat can cause you to crank up your AC wasting more electricity. This raises your utility bills while negatively impacting the environment.
With climate change increasing temperatures, it’s even more important to conserve natural areas.
Why You Should Help Your Local Park
Community parks provide so many benefits for both children and adults. With the rise of new infrastructure, these places are not being as well maintained. This is why it is important to work with your local community. To help get others involved, share these reasons to help your community park with your friends and family.
