Love Parks Week

Ten Park Facts...Did You Know?

• 91% of people believe that public parks and open spaces improve their quality of life.
• A brisk walk every day, in your local park, can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 50%, strokes by 50%, diabetes by 50%, fracture of the femur by 30%, colon cancer by 30%, breast cancer by 30% and Alzheimer’s by 25%.
• Air quality, air temperature, water and flood management, are all kept within manageable limits because of parks and green spaces.
• The more often a person visits urban open green spaces, the less often he or she will report stress-related illnesses.
• Outdoor play and adventure can increase levels of physical activity and fitness, activate higher cognitive processes and healthy brain development.
• Elderly people who have close access to a place where they can relax and enjoy nature, show significantly greater satisfaction with where they live.
• The number one ranked issue for good parks and public spaces is that they give a sense of community.
• Owners of small companies rank recreation, parks and open spaces as the highest priority in choosing a new location for their business.
• Over 10% of the population choose to use their local green spaces daily.
• Over 50% of us visit a park at least once a week, to improve physical - and mental - health, to enhance our closest relationships, to chill out, to interact with our communities and to have a good time.