5 minute read
1.3 The Value & Benefi ts of Fresno Parks
CURRENT NEED: + 1,113 ACRES
FUTURE NEED: + 1,769 ACRES
For a detailed description of Fresno demographic trends broken out by Development Areas, see Chapter 2, “Demographic and Recreation Trends.”
Simply put, Fresno is growing, and the parks and recreation system needs to grow with it. In order to meet the level of service (LOS) goals for city park land, as outlined in the 2014 adopted General Plan, Fresno will need to signifi cantly increase land in its park and open space network. Specifi cally, Fresno’s park land needs to increase by 1,113 acres to meet the General Plan overall LOS goals for current population, and by 1,769 acres to meet future population needs (year 2035).
But perhaps even more important than the quantity of Fresno’s parks and open space is the quality of these public amenities and their distribution across the city. Public feedback and technical analysis during the planning process reveal that park and open space needs of residents throughout the city are not currently being met. As Fresno grows, it will need a variety of well-distributed, high-quality public spaces, from playgrounds to community centers to natural areas, in both urbanized and developing parts of the city to ensure that Fresno’s parks and open space system meets the physical and cultural needs of Fresno’s diverse and growing population.
1.3 THE VALUE & BENEFITS OF FRESNO PARKS
PUBLIC & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Providing a robust, comprehensive, quality park and recreation system is a sure way to enhance quality of life for city dwellers. With population projected to dramatically increase in the next 25 years, the physical growth of the city of Fresno, and in particular its parks and open space system, will have profound implications for public and environmental health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with other federal, state, and non-profi t organizations including the Trust For Public Land (TPL), The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), have thoroughly documented the link between having access to places for physical activity and improved physical and mental health. Regular contact with nature has proven benefi ts ranging from
improved cardiac performance to lower stress levels and increased mental wellness. Consequently, the ability for Fresno’s increasing population to have easy, regular access to nature and open space will directly infl uence the physical and spiritual health of the city’s residents. In addition, providing open space and active transportation networks, including bicycle and pedestrian connections, increases opportunities for physical activity which can reduce rates of obesity, a serious health epidemic with incidence above the national average in the Fresno community.
Parks and open spaces are also valuable for their ability to help mitigate air and water pollution, in both urban areas like Fresno and areas with intensive agricultural industry like the San Joaquin Valley. Environmental services provided by parks and open space include air fi ltration, stormwater infi ltration, and reducing the “urban heat island effect.” These services also bring public health and ecological cost savings – a value for taxpayers, state and local agencies alike.
SOCIAL EQUITY
Because negative environmental factors such as pollutants, lack of open space, and limited access to healthy food disproportionately impact low income communities, issues of equity are tied to Fresno’s parks and open space system. Investing in a comprehensive parks and open space network is a critical step toward ensuring that all Fresno citizens – particularly those located in areas of the city that are currently park poor – can have greater access to resources that support improved quality of life.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The value of parks also encompasses social factors like strengthening communities and improving safety. When people have access to inviting outdoor spaces they are more inclined to spend time with neighbors, family, and friends engaged in healthy, interactive outdoor activity. Such positive social behavior enriches public life and strengthens the connection people feel to their community. These conditions contribute to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and support methods to increase public safety such as “eyes on the parks” and natural community surveillance. Providing accessible, well-programmed community space for a diverse user group – in terms of age, income, and activity – is a fi rst step toward making safe, successful public spaces.
PARKS & PUBLIC SAFETY CASE STUDY: LOS ANGELES’ “PARKS AFTER DARK” (PAD) PROGRAM
Since implementation in summer 2010, LA’s PAD program to extend park evening hours and activities at select locations has provided signifi cant community benefi ts, including increased physical activity, improved social cohesion and decreased violent crime. Some highlighted statistics related to public safety include:
• Serious and violent crimes in the communities surrounding the original 3 parks in the PAD program declined 32 percent during the summer months between 2009 and 2013. During the same time period, such crimes increased 18 percent in nearby communities with parks that did not offer the PAD program. • The perception of safety among community members was also very high, with 97 percent of respondents to a 2013 survey indicating that they felt safe while participating in PAD activities.
Source: Fischer K, Welsing A, Aragon L, Simon P. Parks After Dark: Preventing Violence While Promoting Healthy, Active Living. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. August 2014.
ECONOMIC VALUE OF PARKS
Quality parks and recreation systems also bring with them economic benefi ts in the form of increased property value, tourism dollars and investment in local businesses. In short, parks are major assets for cities. As such, a business approach to asset management, by which there is fi nancial incentive to make sure that parks and open space are properly maintained so they continue to appreciate in value over time, is applicable. This assetfocused business management approach to the planning and development of Fresno’s parks and open space system is a central driver for the 2017 PMP.
