It’s no secret that access to parks, trails and green space improve the quality of life for people. Parks have shown to be a great investment for communities. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and about 60% of adults do not get enough physical activity. One in three children in the U.S. are overweight, and close to 75% of children between the ages of 5 and 10 do not meet the physical activity guidelines. Having access to parks and trails is essential for the overall health of community members.
Parks are do not just help with physical well-being, but also help improve mental health and environmental health, such as improve air quality and help protect drinking water. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is an important resource for creating parks. The LWCF is essential for supporting strong, healthy communities.
The City Parks Alliance published A Smart Investment For America’s Health; a report which highlights the importance of LWCF.
