"JUS HERE CHILLIN WIT MY CREW"...The Role of Parks in Urban Areas

As a child, I used to think hanging at the park at different times of the day had a different purpose for each time. Mornings were when the older folks would sit and chat, afternoons were when the children and teens would play and gossip and evenings were when the young adults came to have a few drinks or relax with their other halves under the starlight. However, the older I got the more I came to wonder what it was about parks that made people feel like it was the place to be .  I knew it's purpose was for  social reasons but it never occurred to me the impacts that these park areas  had on these social gatherers  . 

a walk in the park, anyone?

In fact, research shows that presence of natural assets (i.e. urban parks and forests,green belts) and components (i.e. trees, water) in urban contexts contributes to the quality of life in many

ways. (Chiesura, 2002). In urban areas, factors such as traffic congestion, noise pollution, and the regular hustle and bustle contribute greatly to people's stressful lives that they often seek outlets even though it is just for a few minutes to recuperate.    Sitting or walking through the  park may

reduce stress (Ulrich, 1981), enhance contemplation, rejuvenate the city dweller, and provide a sense

of peacefulness and tranquility (Kaplan, 1983). The fact remains in order for cities to be livable, there must be some factor put in place to assist the enhancement of citizens' social and psychological well being, and parks/recreation grounds serve this purpose. It became clearer to me that not only do people not want to live like robots working everyday but parks and squares also allowed them to establish and strengthen relationships with people they meet or already know in these social settings.

the last line says "the square continues to be used as  a meeting ground for informal public debates, relaxation, social events and political rallies"

The Presence of squares should also be mentioned though different from parks in form serve similar purposes of gathering, entertainment and relaxation.

Socializing at Woodford Square


I thought this video was so insightful as to the roles of parks in urban areas and the effects they have on people's daily lives. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiIIst2nSHI

 Nature can

encourage the use of outdoor spaces, increases social

integration and interaction among neighbors (Coley

et al., 1997)