Open space and park space are critical parts of any community. Along with clear environmental benefits, open space provides a community with a outlet to exercise, participate in other recreational activities, or simply enjoy the outdoors.
Setting aside open space and park space is a critical aspect of every society. I'm an advocate of balance in development, and part of that is making sure there is ample open space. Many proponents of open space bring up the health benefits to open space, and how places with open space have fewer problems with childhood obesity.
A lot of the value of open space is intangible, and is therefore hard to make people understand why it is important. People value public space, but it is difficult to put it in context of dollars and cents that city administrators and planners understand when creating their vision for the future of their communities. However, a well balanced society does not just take care of its citizens basic or economic needs, like providing adequate housing or jobs for people to earn a living. A well balanced society also helps fulfill psychological, physiological, and cognitive needs, all which open space is able to provide. People exercise, play, and enjoy open space and parks. People enjoy spending time in nature, and are happier because of it. These intangible benefits are perhaps the most significant positive impact that open space has on our society, and a major reason why it's still worth investing in.
