This mailer has been provided as an avenue of dispersing information related to landscape architecture in hopes of fostering greater understanding and collaboration between professions. Topics address issues that affect the built environment within which we live.

Three reasons why parks and recreation budgets should not be cut when money is tight ....

"The time has come for Americans to rededicate themselves to the vision of parks for all the nations people", Will Rogers, Trust for Public Land

As the country continues to struggle through economic hardship, a trend of drastically reducing parks and recreation department budgets (or dissolving parks departments all together) has begun to emerge. Keeping in mind the fact that budgets need to be cut somewhere, this month's article discusses how preserving parks and recreation funds can actually reduce the need to allocate funding to other public departments such as public safety and health departments. Though there are many reasons to protect public parks and recreational opportunities, the following are three compelling reasons: crime rate reduction, health benefits, and economic benefits.

Crime Rate Reduction - Studies have shown that well-maintained parks and active recreational programs reduce crime in urban areas. Unfortunately the opposite is also true, un-maintained parks (or no park space) and lack of recreational programs leads to higher crime rates. A few of the many positive influences parks can have on crime are summarized below.

Recreational facilities provide wholesome activities for at-risk youth, keeping them off the streets and in proper social atmospheres. Many cities are reporting significant decreases in crime due to youth programs such as midnight basketball. Fort Meyer's, Kansas City and Fort Worth all report declines in juvenile arrests, following similar program implementation, of 28%, 25% and 28% respectively.¹ The City of Edinburgh Police Department also reports a drop in juvenile crime after a skate park was constructed in their community.²

Greener cities result in fewer total crimes. Research has shown that there is a strong correlation between levels of vegetation and number of crimes in the immediate area. One study by the University of Illinois reports a 7-8% reduction in crime attributed directly to the presence of nearby vegetation.⁴ This finding is significant as it is contrary to the common undocumented belief that vegetation promotes crime.

Physical activity, and exposure to green open space, helps relieve mental fatigue resulting in reduced aggression. Inattentiveness, irritability and lack of impulse control are all symptoms of mental fatigue which is correlated with aggression. Aggression, violence and fatigue are all positively impacted by exercise and park like atmospheres which foster mental rejuvenation and help minimize fatigue. Research confirms the statement that "park-like" atmospheres have been shown to increase neighborhood safety.¹

Socially connected neighborhoods are stronger and safer. Green spaces in neighborhoods tend to encourage formal and informal social interaction. This interaction is crucial in developing a web of neighborhood relationships. This web of relationships is the core of a neighborhood's strength. It creates un-isolated, supported and empowered people. Research has shown that those living in neighborhoods near green spaces with a strong social web, express higher levels of comfort and safety.¹An additional study showed that combined social control, cohesion and trust are a "robust predictor" of reduced levels of violence.⁵ Closely related to this idea is the reality that parks and open spaces need to be well maintained in order to successfully assist in reducing crime. The National Institute of Justice finds that disorder is directly related to crime levels. This same study also finds that policies which attempt to reduce crime (due to disorder) by means of strict law enforcement tactics alone are misguided! A suggested long-term approach for lowering crime should focus on strengthening community's local ties, relationships and awareness.⁶ Parks and open spaces are one of the many methods of implementing this type of strategy.

Health Benefits - Parks are also beneficial to the overall community health by providing open spaces and facilities for recreation and exercise. People who live near these facilities tend to be more active, resulting in healthier communities. A study in the Netherlands found that people in green environments report fewer health problems, have better mental health and think they are healthier. The study also suggests that an estimated five years can be added to an individual's life by increasing nearby greenspace by 10%.⁷

The Center for Disease Control and several studies show that 35.6% more citizens in communities providing enhanced access to places for physical activity exercise three days a week or more. When public outreach is performed in addition to improved access, this percentage can increase to 48.4%.⁷ This increase in activity leads to reductions in body fat, weight loss, flexibility and perceived energy! The benefits of parks and open space related to health are not limited to this however, psychological health benefits are also strongly documented. Features of the landscape have been integrated into many mental health treatments, community programs, hospital campuses, geriatric programs, prison curriculums and programs for people with disabilities.

The next time you need a Landscape Architect on your project, consider O'Dell Engineering's Landscape Architecture Department.

Services include:

• Park and Playground Design
• Recreational Facility Design
• Site Planning
• Streetscape Design
• Urban Design
• Commercial Design
• Model / Production Homes
• 3-D Visualizations
• Graphic Design
• Arboriculture Consulting
• Playground Inspection

This informational article provided by O'Dell Engineering - 1165 Scenic Drive, Suite A, Modesto CA 95350