COMMUNITY GREEN SPACES: AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CANADIAN IDENTITY

BY FRYDDA SANDOVAL

GREEN SPACES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY are essential to Canadians. We gather to communicate, socialize, and engage in activities in these areas. They serve as a unifying force, bringing people together and fostering connections.

Key results from the 2016 Census revealed that urbanization has resulted in more than eighty percent of Canadians living in cities and urban areas. The census shows that the country’s urbanization trend continues, with big cities experiencing significant internal population shifts and faster suburban growth.

As Canadian cities grow, it has also brought challenges, including environmental degradation, loss of natural habitat, decreased species diversity, and increased human health risks associated with heat, noise, pollution, and crowding.

One of the first responses to reduce the spread of COVID-19 was the closure of parks to the public, while Canadians were called to stay home and limit the spread. The federal government suspended all visitor services, group activities and events at all national parks, national historic sites, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas. Simultaneously, various cities closed playgrounds, parks, and outdoor spaces for recreation, following the measures to discourage congregating groups.

While necessary, these restrictions may adversely impact the physical and mental health of people who cannot visit them. As cabin fever set in and the Covid-19 cases began to slow down, restrictions began to ease. More than ever before, the pandemic shed light on the crucial role of parks and green spaces in making our cities resilient.

The 2017 Households and Environment survey asked about access to parks and green spaces near homes and other places. By looking at factors like location, household composition, and dwelling type, we can understand how COVID-19 restrictions affected Canadian households. It’s important to consider how these factors impact well-being and find ways to safely enjoy the benefits of green spaces during these challenging times.

In 2017, 87% of Canadian households reported having a park within a ten-minute journey of their home.

In some families, 13% said they did not have a park or green space close to home. Of these, 39% reported visiting a park or greenery during the previous twelve months.

Of the households with children that reported a park close to home in 2017, 95% visited the park. In contrast, only 82% of households without children near a park visited the natural areas.

About three-quarters, 76% of households with an income of less than $20,000 per year stated having access to a nearby park, compared to 95% of households with an annual income of $150,000 or more. Similarly, the likelihood that a family with a nearby park had visited that park ranged from 73% of households in the lowest income bracket to 94% in the highest shelf.

Growers

Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca