Promoting Public Health Through Neighborhood Parks and Open Spaces

TrailsCommunity Gardens

ParksPlaygrounds

TPL works in cities and suburbs across America to ensure that everyone—in particular, every child—enjoys close-to-home access to a park, playground, or natural area.

How Parks Benefit Health

•Reductions in obesity, diabetes, and other health problems, resulting from physical activity

•Stress reduction resulting from physical activity & opportunities for relaxation

•Opportunities to learn about healthy eating, throug h school and community gardening.

Neighborhood Spaces Enhancing Public Health

•STREETS AND GREENWAYS

•NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

•COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GARDENS

Streets and Greenways

What is a Greenway?

A greenway is a linear open space, such as a path o r

trail, which links parks and communities, providing

public access to green spaces and the waterfront.

Greenways expand recreational opportunities for

walking, jogging, biking, and in-line skating.

Bicycle access extends the “reach” of a

park 16-fold over walking.

Bicycle access extends the “reach” of a park 16-fold over walking.

Sunday

Saturday

Community and School Gardens

Primary Public Health Goal:To promote awareness of fresh food

Secondary Public Health Goal:To supplement diet for a limited number of families ,

and for immigrants to grow specialized food

Strategies for Neighborhood Parks/Playgrounds

•CREATE NEW SPACES

•TRANSFORM EXISTING SPACES

•PROGRAM EXISTING SPACES

Neighborhood Squares

Neighborhood Parks/Playgrounds

Schoolyards to Playgrounds

Base Map

PopulationDensity

Income

Children

Ethnicity

Gap Analysis

Park Needs Analysis -- Data Layers

“Endangered Children’s Habitat”

Park Needs Analysis—San Fernando Valley, LA Basin

Schoolyards to PlaygroundsSchoolyards to PlaygroundsSchoolyards to Playgrounds