The Value of Parks

The Value of Parks publication was produced by Parks Forum  in partnership with the World Conservation Union’s World Commission on Protected Areas in the Australia and New Zealand Region, and the Australian People and Parks Foundation. The publication provides greater insight into the economic, cultural, environmental and emotional value of parks, as well as qualitative and quantitative information that aims at raising the profile and status of parks as an essential component of society’s well being. You are encouraged to read The Value of Parks ( PDF 2.6Mb)

The majority of the world’s population now lives in cities. Urban parks and green spaces of all kinds are the primary contact point for people to come together with nature. Yet most city green spaces are grossly under-funded, under-supported, and disconnected from the very communities that need them most. Investment in parks and green spaces has proven to have sweeping benefits for communities, including public health and fitness improvements and obesity reduction, strengthened child development and expeditionary learning, expanded crime reduction, job creation, green infrastructure advancement, leveraged expansion of surrounding housing and businesses, new civic pride and community engagement, and community-based efforts to counter the climate crisis. 

The Healthy Parks and Healthy People ( PDF 26Kb) program also helps to remind us that we rely on a healthy parks system to sustain our way of life, including our mental well being. We would all be in a sorry state if not for the opportunities to rejuvenate ourselves, mentally and physically in our parks. 

72% of the Australian Capital Territory is parkland and open space, which is possibly the most accessible parks and open space system in any Australian city. Over 54% of this is forest and open woodland, all of which silently work as the community’s green lungs and water purifiers. Parks Conservation and Lands surveys Canberran residents each year, to appreciate what they are doing well and identify where more effort is required.

In 2008, Canberrans visited city parks 12.2 million times with 2.2 million visits to parks beyond the city. 88% of Canberrans are using parks to socialise and relax and when they get out there, 98% are very satisfied with their experience.  This is closely followed by 87% of Canberrans who use parks for going for a run, walk, riding a bike etc, stating they are 95% satisfied with the experience. A lower, yet expected number of Canberrans at 55% visit parks to learn more about the environment with another very high satisfaction level at 98%.  It is evident that no matter the purpose for visiting parks, Canberrans love their parks, with 42% of Canberrans volunteering or planning to volunteer in ACT parks.