We ask an expert why London’s beautiful parks are so important to its inhabitants.
From the wild lushness of Hampstead Heath to the exquisite rose gardens of Regent’s Park, London is abundant in green spaces. With proximity to a park or square often being a major factor when looking to buy or rent a property in the capital, we ask David Tibbatts from GreenSpace, a UK parks and green space charity, to explain why these verdant expanses are so beneficial to us.
Physically beneficial
According to research by the GreenSpace charity, people with easy access to green spaces are three times more likely to take part in physical activity and a whopping 40% less likely to become obese. For Tibbatts, one reason for this is that “local green space provides a range of either freely or cheaply available opportunities for sport and exercise”.
He explains that these activities also cater to both the young and old: “A substantial percentage of junior football and league football is based around the local park pitches. Other activities include cricket, tennis, and bowls, a massively important sport for older citizens.”
Of course, jogging remains a significant pastime in parks, and Tibbatts adds that a brisk outdoor walk – especially on a variety of terrains such as can be found on Hampstead Heath – can also prove extremely beneficial to those suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Mentally restorative
Tibbatts states that exposure to high quality, well managed, natural greenery has been proven to be one of the fastest ways to relieve stress.
“Stress levels start to reduce within a few short minutes and continue to reduce during the length of the visit,” he says.
Regular visits to green spaces have also been shown to slow the onset of dementia in adults, while in children, frequent exposure to nature has been proven to improve levels of concentration and ability at school.
So, the next time you need to escape from noisy traffic or the tensions of work, consider retreating to a green oasis of tranquillity such as the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.
Better than the gym
Evidence has shown that people are much more likely to continue playing a sport they have started in an outdoor space than in a gym, according to Tibbatts.
It has also been proven that while most people drive to their sports club, they will walk to parks, making going to the gym less environmentally-friendly.
The other advantage for Tibbatts is that “whilst people are enjoying their sport in a park or green space, they are also enjoying the other benefits of mental wellbeing and reconnection with nature”.
Makes communities closer
“Green spaces are a big part of the cultural heritage of towns and cities – representing architectural styles, commemorating events and people, and promoting local traditions such as fayres and fetes,” says Tibbatts. London’s parks are awash with examples of this, from the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, to the annual Taste of London food fair in Regent’s Park.
On a smaller scale, Tibbatts says: “People who use green spaces are more likely to know many members of their community and to get involved in other aspects of community life.” This helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation as well as instill a sense of neighbourhood solidarity. He adds that the reduction in aggressive behaviour as a result of green environments can also translate to fewer family rows and happier homes.
