Parks and green spaces in cities and towns are absolutely crucial for maintaining good mental health, and in turn, overall well-being.

Around London there are many local parks, such as Richmond Park, Busy Park, Hampton Common, Hanworth Air Park, and many more. We are at a crucial turning point in regards to the Earth’s climate, this means that the local parks and other green spaces are essential in not only preserving natural spaces but they are also essential in maintaining mental health, as well as being incredibly important for exercise and maintaining physical fitness.

In addition to this, parks are a necessary tool in fighting global warming, the National Recreation and Park Association says that “parks reduce harmful pollution that is driving climate change” and that “urban tree canopy in parks and along city streets is estimated to remove 711,000 metric tons of air pollution annually”. This has a significant impact on the climate and is yet another reason why local green spaces are so important, not just locally, but nationally too. London.gov.uk says that there are “3,000 parks of varying sizes designated by the boroughs as 'public open space'”, they go on to say that they cover almost 18 per cent of London which is more than the area of the city covered by railways and roads combined.” These green spaces must be preserved and maintained in order to continue to assist the fight against damage that cannot be undone to our Earth.

As a result of lockdown many gyms and fitness centres remain closed, meaning that people who may have relied on gymnasiums to exercise are doing less in total – this is one example of why our local green spaces (e.g. parks, greens, commons) are so vitally important. Another reason is mental well-being, studies have found that “people living more than 1 kilometre away from a green space have nearly 50 percent higher odds of experiencing stress than those living less than 300 meters from a green space.” This demonstrates some of the mental health benefits that are crucial for maintaining a healthy and happy life – mental health is an extremely important topic that is unfortunately often overlooked, despite having proven effects on the physical health of a person as well. For example, the NHS has some of the physical symptoms of stress listed as, “headaches or dizziness, muscle tension or pain” and “stomach problems”. Green spaces and parks have been proven to greatly help improve a person’s mental health and, as a result, their entire well-being.

Overall, the parks and the green areas of cities and towns should continue to be protected and preserved, not only because of the beautiful scenery and fight against global warming but also help manage mental health and the overall benefits of being happy and preserving the Earth.

 

 

https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/parks-and-green-spaces/

https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2019/april/parks-as-a-solution-to-climate-change

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/understanding-stress/

https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/Three-Pillars/health-wellness/ParksandHealth/fact-sheets/parks-improved-mental-health-quality-life/