The Power of Parks: Fostering Equity & Well-Being in Our Communities

Access to green space is a crucial factor in promoting equity in communities, reinforcing the power of parks. The TurfMutt Foundation tracks the latest scientific research about the many benefits of the green space in our communities and backyards. (Check it out here.)

Parks and other green spaces are powerful tools for positive change. Here are just a few ways they contribute to community well-being and equity:

• Boosting Health in Disadvantaged Communities: A systematic review of literature from around the world indicates that green space provides more protective health effects for disadvantaged populations. Increasing access to these areas can be a vital step towards achieving health equity.
• Reducing Violence & Promoting Safety: A novel research project– the first to find a significant relationship between greenness and fatal police shootings – has shown that areas with greater amounts of green space have a lower prevalence of police violence. This suggests that thoughtful urban planning – with greenness at the forefront – can contribute to safer communities.
• Transforming Schoolyards into Hubs of Well-Being: Green schoolyards are emerging as powerful drivers of health equity, particularly in urban, low-income communities. By integrating nature into school environments – something TurfMutt has encouraged for 15 years – we can improve the well-being of individuals, schools and the greater community.
• Creating Resilient Children: A longitudinal study of a park prescription program for low-income families found that increased visits to neighborhood parks significantly increased children’s resilience while decreasing their stress levels. This highlights the profound positive impact of nature on young minds.
• Improving Mental Health for Everyone: Improving the quantity and quality of public open space in disadvantaged neighborhoods may help reduce mental health inequities. Systematic reviews of literature indicate that access to green space is a key factor in promoting overall mental well-being.

Ready to learn more about the power of parks and community green spaces? Visit TurfMutt.com and explore TurfMutt’s International Backyarding Fact Book. You can also catch Mulligan the TurfMutt on Saturday morning’s CBS Lucky Dog and Mission Unstoppable. Sign up for Mutt Mail to get TurfMutt news, delivered right to your inbox.