Recreation, Parks, Trails
WHY IT MATTERS
Parks and trails contribute to community well-being in many ways. Ready access to parks and trails has been shown to result in greater exercise that lowers the risk of health problems. People are particularly likely to use parks and trails when wild edibles grow there. Well-maintained parks and trails increase property values. Well-planned and well-managed parks and trails can enhance the green infrastructure of a community by preserving important natural areas like wetlands and stream buffers, creating wildlife corridors, and demonstrating innovative management practices like permeable pavement for basketball courts and parking areas. Parks and trails can also become essential educational resources, allowing people of all ages to benefit from outdoor classrooms and hands-on learning.
Solutions That Work!
Recreation and trails, Litchfield, Maine
As part of the municipal asset inventory for Litchfield, Maine, Yellow Wood identified opportunities for improvement of recreation facilities and offered recommendations on the placement of trails and paths to improve connectivity and make the town more accessible to its population, as a way to increase physical activity and improve human health. Our approach to green recreation facilities includes use of pervious surfaces and water sensitive design.
Economic benefits of public lands, Massachusetts Trust for Public Lands
Yellow Wood Associates partnered with Mt. Auburn Associates to help the Massachusetts Trust for Public Lands build a framework for discussing the full range of economic benefits derived from public land. Categories of economic benefit include: contributions to economic development, human capital development, state and municipal fiscal health, and community development.
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