Personal Benefits of Green Spaces

Green spaces provide environmental benefits, but they also support the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Parks, gardens, forests, school grounds and other vegetated areas can provide places for physical activity, rest, recreation and social interaction.

This article examines the personal benefits associated with access to and use of green spaces.

Physical activity

Green spaces can encourage walking, outdoor exercise, play, gardening and recreation. Accessible parks and other green areas may be particularly important for people who have limited access to private recreational facilities or paid exercise services [1], [2], [4].

Children and young people can use green spaces for play and active learning, while adults and older people may benefit from walking, gardening and other forms of movement [1], [8].

Gardening can involve activities that support strength, endurance and flexibility. It can also provide opportunities to spend time outdoors and connect with other people [4], [9].

Mental health and restoration

Contact with natural areas can provide opportunities for relaxation, psychological restoration and relief from everyday pressures [7], [10], [13].

Green areas may offer spaces where people can reflect, experience nature and temporarily move away from noise and other pressures associated with urban life.

Research has associated the availability and use of green spaces with mental and physical health benefits. The benefits experienced by visitors depend partly on the quality, accessibility, safety and suitability of the green area [6], [8], [14].

Social connection

Parks, gardens and other public green spaces can support social interaction, shared activities and community participation [6], [10], [14].

Well-managed green spaces may provide meeting places for families, neighbours, community groups and recreational activities. These interactions can help reduce social isolation and contribute to a sense of belonging.

Fair access to green space

The benefits of green spaces are not shared equally when safe and well-managed green areas are unavailable or difficult to reach.

Planning for green spaces should therefore consider accessibility, safety, community needs and the inclusion of children, older people and persons with different physical abilities [6], [11], [12], [14].

Caring for green spaces

Protecting green spaces supports both environmental quality and human well-being. Communities, schools, institutions and public authorities can help by maintaining existing green areas, protecting mature trees and including accessible vegetation and open space in future development.

When communities care for green spaces, they also protect places that support physical activity, social connection, contact with nature and personal well-being.