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Why are parks, trails, and recreation <br />systems so important? <br />Parks and Green Spaces Increase Physical Activity <br />Increased physical activity is associated with reduced obesity, reduced <br />osteoporosis, lower blood pressure, enhanced child development, and improved <br />mental health. <br />Contact with Nature Promotes Mental and Physical Health <br />Benefits include lower blood pressure, improved birth outcomes, reduced <br />cardiovascular risk, less anxiety and depression, better mental concentration, <br />healthier child development, enhanced sleep quality, and more. <br />Parks Strengthen Social Connections that are Positive for Health <br />Park access bolsters social connections and brings people together. Even <br />informal encounters in a playground or walking on paths can yield gratifying <br />social contacts. People commonly have social gatherings in parks and make <br />new f riends there. <br />Parks Improve Environmental Health and Climate Resilience <br />Parks provide cooling benefits to neighborhoods within a 10-minute walk, can <br />reduce flooding of streets and homes, and filter air pollutants. <br />Source: The Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org/parl<s-promote-health-report <br />