8 THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PARKS AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACTS Size of Park or Green space Early conversations with the advisory committee identified park size as a potentially important component to contextualize park impact. As referenced previously, dense urban areas are more likely to feature smaller parks with fewer amenities. Communities might use smaller parks differently from larger ones in ways that might affect health benefits. There is evidence that larger parks with more amenities may have a more direct impact on physical activity (Kaczynski, Potwarka, and Saelens 2008). Beyond the connection between quality and diversity of amenities and usage, there is little research specifically on small urban park spaces. One study using survey data on residents near pocket parks found a similar positive effect on physical activity for these small parks as larger neighborhood parks (Cohen et al. 2014). Other research is largely observational, noting the types of usage for small parks. One study used observation and follow-up surveys to classify how users were engaging with small parks. The most common uses were either socializing (31 percent) or resting (31 percent). A study using images of small parks to gauge perceived likelihood for restoration (positive impact on mood) found that the share of ground surface covered by grass, visible tree cover, and park size were most correlated with restorative impact (Nordh et al. 2009). This anecdotal evidence suggests smaller parks may retain some of the positive impacts on mental health and well-being and social connectedness of larger parks, but additional research is needed to clearly delineate the impact of small parks and green spaces. A much smaller body of research focuses on trails and has shown similar physical activity benefits for proximity to trails relative to parks and other green spaces. Particularly in rural areas and smaller towns, trails have been associated with increased physical activity (Abildso et al. 2012; Brownson et al. 2000). Evidence suggests that length of trail and material (i.e., pavement) have the most significant impact on use (Brownson et al. 2000). Safety in Park spaces Parks and green spaces generate more benefits when they are accessible and usable and when users have a general sense of safety. When parks are perceived as unsafe, users miss out on the positive outcomes of green spaces (Williams et al. 2020). Research shows that parks that are well maintained are safer, encourage community building, and promote civic trust (MacCleery, McConville, and Hammerschmidt 2021).3 Parks can drive safety by being welcoming community assets and public spaces, providing calm, and reducing crime (Burgess et al. 1988; MacCleery, McConville, and Hammerschmidt 2021; NRPA 2019). The larger the number of park users, the lower the number of
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