20 THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PARKS AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACTS Economic Impacts of Park Health Benefits There is a rich literature assessing the economic impacts of parks and green spaces, but fewer studies focus on linking economic impacts with the health benefits of equitable access to parks. This section focuses on studies that explore the economic impact of specific benefits across the various dimensions of health; throughout, we reference research on other economic impacts where relevant for a healthfocused analysis. A significant body of literature quantifies the environmental benefits of parks and green space, much of which also references other associated health benefits. The Trust for Public Land (2013) used evidence on the environmental benefits of specific land types to estimate that for every $1 invested in conservation of green space, Massachusetts yields $4 in natural goods and services. Many of these natural goods and services, including reductions in flood risk, and mitigation of climate effects, have impacts on health. The report also estimates that parks and green spaces contribute physical health benefits equivalent to about $2 billion in reduced health costs related to lack of physical activity in Massachusetts (Trust for Public Land 2013), demonstrating the connection between parks and economic development. Further, several studies have quantified parks’ economic contributions through their function as a key buffer against airborne pollution. One estimate indicated that urban tree cover accounts for 700 million metric tons of carbon storage and a sequestration rate of 22.8 million metric tons a year, with a net cost benefit of $14.76 billion (Nowak and Crane 2002). A Parks Health Benefits Calculator developed by the Trust for Public Land measures impact on air quality through tree canopy metrics (including type of tree cover), as well as the flow of pollutants using concentration data from the Environmental Protection Agency (Harnik and Welle 2009). This measurement is then multiplied by the median externality value for each pollutant to calculate the overall cost benefit. The iTree Landscape5 is a web application based on peer-reviewed research from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The application identifies tree benefits and helps users prioritize areas for planting and planning decisions in a specific location. The tool quantifies the value and risk of new tree plantings, such as effects on temperature, health, water quality, and variables of climate change. iTree Landscape also provides comparison areas to determine priorities.
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