Parks Unplugged

When was the last time you unplugged to spend leisure time in your local park? Perhaps there’s one nearby where you live or work. Do you just zoom past it, never encountering the flow and feel of your surrounding parks system? City Parks Alliance gives us reason to take another look.

"Urban parks are dynamic institutions that play a vital, but not fully appreciated or understood role in the social, economic and physical well-being of America's urban areas and its residents. Dating back to the 19th century when Frederick Law Olmsted introduced the first large-scale urban parks to this country, these green spaces provided relief from urban intensity for residents and brought people together across social, economic and racial divides. In the post-war years, when the population shifted away from urban centers, our nation's parks suffered enormously from disinvestments and many are still experiencing it. As cities across the country are attracting millions of residents again, the center of this sweeping urban renaissance are newly revitalized parks.”

With September at its half-way point, don’t let this transitional month slip by without taking some digital downtime in a local park. Pack a picnic or take a stroll through its many pathways. Take notice of the trees and plant materials. Is the park rough around its edges or is it well kept and maintained? Maybe there is something you can to do to make an imprint on its upkeep. It’s just a thought as we take a leap into today’s quote.   

Theodore Roosevelt once said this about our parks. “The nation behaves well if it treats its natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.” Our parks are the central arteries to a neighborhood or an urban area‘s natural flow. These pockets of nature combined with landscape design elements are meant to be enjoyed and not ignored.

Image by Ann Bilowz ©  

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