第2573期:The benefits of pocket parks

How often do you go to the park? Is it part of your everyday life, or a trip that you plan? Many large urban parks are situated far from where people live, meaning they are a destination for planned visits rather than everyday life. For example, only 14% of the population of Los Angeles have a park within walking distance. Also, the distribution of such parks is often relatively unequal, meaning that they benefit some areas and groups of people much more than others. A number of studies have shown that it is often disadvantaged neighbourhoods that lack easy access to green spaces. It's rarely practical to address this by creating large new parks, but designating small parcels of land, empty lots, or even parts of quiet streets as pocket parks can have a major impact on residents' quality of life. 您多久去公园一次？这是您日常生活的一部分还是您计划的旅行？许多大型城市公园远离人们居住的地方，这意味着它们是计划访问而不是日常生活的目的地。例如，只有14％的洛杉矶人口在步行距离之内。同样，这种公园的分布通常相对不平等，这意味着它们比其他地区更受益。许多研究表明，缺乏容易进入绿色空间的弱势街区。通过创建大型新公园来解决这一问题是很不可取的，但是指定一小片土地，空地，甚至安静的街道作为袖珍公园可能会对居民的生活质量产生重大影响。Often no larger than a few tennis courts and located within neighbourhoods close to where people live, these green spaces can strengthen community bonds. They provide a place to meet neighbours, or a play area for children. Green gyms or ball game areas can give local people a space to exercise in, improving public health outcomes. Local businesses can use spaces to promote their products or organise events to help them grow. A study by the University of Philadelphia, showed that crime was reduced in neighbourhoods with pocket parks, compared to those which left empty spaces derelict. Studies report that where space is used to make pocket parks, communities feel greater ownership of and attachment towards their neighbourhood. 这些绿色空间通常不超过几个网球场，位于人们居住的社区内，可以加强社区纽带。他们提供了一个见面邻居或儿童游乐区的地方。绿色的健身房或球游戏区域可以为当地人提供锻炼的空间，从而改善公共卫生结果。当地企业可以使用空间来推广其产品或组织活动以帮助他们成长。费城大学的一项研究表明，与遗弃空间的空间相比，在袖珍公园的社区中犯罪减少了。研究报告说，在使用空间来制造袖珍公园的地方，社区对他们附近的拥有更大的所有权和依恋。 As well as benefits for the human population, an increase in green space can benefit the local environment. Pocket parks can act as stepping stones, allowing wildlife to travel across the city, as well as providing habitats for different species. Parks provide increased tree canopy cover, offering shade which can counteract urban heat island effects, helping to reduce temperatures. Trees also help to reduce air pollution, and green space allows water to drain away, reducing flood risks. Could pocket parks be a relatively cheap way to strengthen communities and improve local environments? 除了对人口的利益外，绿色空间的增加还可以使当地环境受益。袖珍公园可以充当垫脚石，使野生动植物可以穿越整个城市，并为不同物种提供栖息地。公园提供了增加的树冠覆盖物，提供阴影，可以抵消城市热岛的影响，有助于降低温度。树木还有助于减少空气污染，绿色空间使水可以排出，从而减少洪水风险。袖珍公园是否可以是增强社区和改善当地环境的相对便宜的方式？