Healthy Parks Healthy People

Whilst the Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy originated in the parks sector, there is far reaching applicability outside this industry.

We've got just a few examples from Australia and around the world where a Healthy Parks Healthy People approach has already been taken, to produce an improved outcome for all.

Architecture

In Action: In August 2009 the Mayor of London announced plans for a Greener London, with commitment to making London greener, cleaner and more civilised. In addition to a commitment to plant 10,000 new street trees already planted, extensive park revamping, a big focus will be on boosting green roofs and green walls. In addition to aesthetics and environment, a cited benefit is health. The leaves of climbing plants on walls provide a large surface area which is capable of filtering out dust and other pollutants. Large areas of vegetation also reduce noise levels. Low humidity levels in cities are common, and green façades can help here too.

Climate Change

In Action: Where much of the research on climate change has explained the impact on the natural environment, The Lancet medical journal and the University College London (UCL) Institute for Global Health recently released the final report of their year-long commission. The report notes that “Climate change will have devastating consequences for human health from”; changing patterns of infections and insect-borne diseases, and increased deaths due to heat waves; reduced water and food security, leading to malnutrition and diarrhoeal disease; an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme climate events (hurricanes, cyclones, storm surges) causing flooding and direct injury; increasing vulnerability for those living in urban slums and where shelter and human settlements are poor and large scale population migration and the likelihood of civil unrest .

Fitness

In Action: The Walking the Way to Health Initiative is now the largest outdoor walking programme in the European Union, with over 32,000 participants in 2,000 health walks every week throughout the 525 health walking groups. Natural Englang have also trained over 37,000 volunteers to support that delivery. (Image with this article from Walking the Way to Health Brochure).

Transport

In Action: Bogotá’s CicloRuta is one of the most extensive bicycle path networks in the world. It covers over 211 miles (340 km) and connects citizens to major BRT routes, parks, and community centers. The system is a best practice, not only because it has reduced car dependence and associated emissions, but it has also fundamentally changed behavior in the city. Since beginning of construction in 2000, 4% of the population use their bikes as transit in 2007, an increased from 0.2% in 2000. The system is both unique and successful because its design took into consideration the topography of the city – the manmade and natural features, such as essential facilities, hills, waterways, and parklands – to create the best possible flow and function.

Skills Development

In Action: Outward Bound offers exhilarating personal development courses that take people into new territories, giving them the opportunity to test themselves, inspire each other and come back with a new outlook on life and the world. Outward Bound is firmly established at the forefront of personal development and experiential outdoor education. Since 1956, more than 250,000 people have participated in one of their programs.

Mental Health

In Action: Mind is the leading mental health charity for England and Wales. Mind commissioned two studies from the University of Essex to research eco-therapy. In 2005, 27.7 million antidepressant prescriptions were written in England, at a cost of £338 million to the public health service. Ecotherapy, a treatment that is free of unpleasant side-effects, offers a cost-effective and natural addition to existing treatments. The studies confirmed that participating in green exercise activities provides substantial benefits for health and wellbeing. Mind has called for a new green agenda for mental health, following growing evidence in support of an accessible, cost-effective and natural addition to existing treatment options – ecotherapy.

Community Development

In Action:  “We not only grow vegetables, we grow hope” is the motto of the Allard Street Community Gardens, Ontario, Canada as they aim to build community as well as gardens. The garden seeks to sow the seeds of social justice, community, economic development and ecological sustainability through the support of environmental and horticultural education programs that promote waste reduction, recycling, water conservation, the use of local native species and organic gardening practices. The Horticultural Society has also partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Sault Area Hospitals to provide horticultural therapy opportunities to those battling depression and other forms of mental illness. Battered women’s shelters and programs have used the community garden to help heal emotional scars and raise the self-esteem of abused women.

Tourism

In Action: Tahune Airwalk, Tasmania is a canopy walkway constructed, owned and operated by Forestry Tasmania in the Tahune Forest Reserve. It is an example of specialist infrastructure in an area most visitors cannot access themselves. Construction of the canopy walkway and associated visitor centre cost around $2.5 million and upgrading the access road cost a further $2 million. As a result of the success of this project, Forestry Tasmania is currently developing a series of recreational visitor infrastructure projects throughout the State, each with a different theme.