How Quality Outdoor Spaces Boost Community Engagement and Property Value

Icy Tales Team
6 Min Read

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The area that surrounds you greatly influences your mood, your motivation, and your feelings and perceptions of value. Whether indoors or out, your environment plays a role in everything you do. That’s why it’s essential for community leaders and developers to invest in quality outdoor spaces. 

These spaces, like parks, multipurpose trails, and green spaces enhance the community and boost the value of adjacent investments. Communities with quality outdoor spaces have been shown to have stronger community relations and cite higher property value. An investment in quality outdoor space makes a community a desirable place to live work and play

Shared Spaces Facilitate New Connections

Humans are social by nature, but without a reason to gather, taking time for connections can be challenging. However, consider the phrase, “If you build it, they will come.” While you may not be building an impromptu baseball diamond, the principle holds true. 

If you build a common gathering space that’s inviting, community members of all types will come. Consider the entirety of the community’s population when you build shared spaces. A park might include open green space for dog walking or recreation. It also may include walking trails that take you throughout the space across varying terrains, native plantings, and seating areas. 

Add spaces for free and structured play that include playground equipment and climbing structures. These structures can also be safely climbed by adults and children alike. Incorporated play into a shared space for the community and residents can boost engagement and connections.

If You Build It, Health Will Come

When your community has open green space and recreation facilities, its residents are more likely to use them. In using them, they’re also likely to make a habit of getting active, ultimately improving their quality of life. Green spaces can play host to farmers’ markets, concerts, celebrations, and tourism opportunities. 

Communities whose residents are healthier can enjoy a range of benefits, including better well-being, reduced healthcare costs, and more disposable income. This extra savings can be used for entertainment and patronizing local businesses, as less is spent on medical care. 

Public spaces also facilitate social interaction, which can reduce feelings of loneliness and can improve mental health. Older individuals often suffer from loneliness, with the lack of social interaction available outside of their working career. However, when your community has space for them to gather, residents can boost their happiness level. Plus, individuals can meet others who share the same values or enjoy the same activities. People can connect over shared interests like walking, jogging, frisbee, golf, and spending time in nature.

Inclusivity and Accessibility Democratizes Community Resources

Community green space should be accessible to every resident and visitor. Look to accessibility standards for guidance, but don’t be afraid to go above and beyond the bare minimum. Examine how successful communities have implemented green space and hardscape assets. 

Expand standard sidewalks to a walking path or multi-use trail dimensions to allow for easier passage across modalities. Make accessible playground equipment the standard for each structure you install. Incorporate wheelchair accessibility and larger supportive swing set seating for older children. Offer play space at ground level that’s attractive for a range of ages, not just young children. 

Work with community groups to better understand the needs of its participants. Local schools can also help you understand what their student body requires and enjoys when it comes to play. 

Engaging with the local community can help you strike the right balance in your community resource investments. You can also earn buy-in and support for your endeavors. This can be especially helpful as construction can oftentimes be disruptive and impact traffic flow and business patronage. However, if you bring them along the journey, they can be your biggest advocates and supporters for your project.

Integrate Sustainability to Boost Appeal, Decrease Costs, and Reduce Maintenance

What’s sustainable can also be affordable, beautiful, and encourage the use of public green spaces. As you plan your project, work with landscape design teams with experience in sustainable design and native plantings. 

Consider the stormwater drainage needs and challenges of your project space, and transform your stormwater discharge requirements into something beautiful. Eliminate the need for unsightly and dangerous retention ponds by building rain gardens. These sustainable structures collect rainwater and put it to good use in its system. Plantings chosen for your growing zone thrive in this environment, add beauty, and require little to no maintenance. 

Pervious pavement can do double duty for walking trails and parking structures without losing valuable acreage to stormwater infrastructure. These sustainable features can also qualify for federal and local funding support and even tax breaks. Plus, projects that incorporate green design can also gain higher favor and patronage among community residents and visitors.

Strengthen Community Bonds and Add Value for All

A community that prioritizes green space and shared resources is stronger, healthier, and holds higher value. Invest in public spaces that meet the needs of its residents today and can adapt over time. When you do, communities grow stronger, happier, and can improve their well-being together. 

Last Updated on by Icy Tales Team

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