As cities become increasingly crowded, discovering a peaceful moment of respite becomes more and more difficult. Yet, tucked away in the midst of the hustle and bustle of everyday city life, there exists an oasis of greenery and natural beauty: the wondrous gardens and parks that form an integral part of many cities. Let us explore these green havens and learn more about the diverse and unique urban green spaces that play such an important role in modern city life.
1. Discovering Urban Green Space
Exploring local parks and green spaces is a great way for urban-dwellers to take a break from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Stroll through a patch of grass, take a seat on a bench, and take the time to appreciate the beauty of nature. You’d be surprised at the mental rejuvenation even a quick trip to the park can give you.
Benefits of urban green spaces
Urban green spaces provide so much more than a scenic escape:
- Healthier air: the plants help intercept air pollutants, creating a breezy escape
- Noise reduction: plants act as excellent sound absorbers
- Cooler temperatures: studies have shown that urban green spaces help keep temperatures cooler as opposed to built-up areas
The addition of green spaces to our ever-growing urban environments has become increasingly necessary in order to preserve the well-being of both the cities and its inhabitants.
Tips to find urban green spaces
- Start with Google maps: Look for “parks” in your area.
- Ask around. Your local friends and family can suggest local spots they frequent.
- Join local outdoors activities: You can join Facebook or Meetup groups that host green activities in urban areas.
- Check out online resources: Hiking, biking, and travel groups often have special resources detailing the best green spots.
We are fortunate to live in such large and diverse cities. Take full advantage of it by getting out and discovering the green spaces around you.
2. Exploring Nature in the City
- Take a Walk – Getting out in the fresh air and exploring your city’s green spaces is the most accessible and rewarding way to reconnect with nature. Many urban dwellers are within walking distance of a park, and if that’s not an option, there are often public squares or even hidden corners of the city to discover. So grab your shoes, some sunscreen, and a camera and explore your immediate environment.
- Citizen Science – Love the idea of helping science while checking out local wildlife? Citizen science may be the perfect activity. Citizen science is an opportunity for anyone to participate in research, often run by universities or museums. Find the closest one and see what wildlife observation activities they’re running and become a part of a global research effort.
- Make the Most of Growing Spaces – Growing spaces, such as allotments, school gardens, and community gardens, can provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and to cultivate something yourself. Those who don’t have access to these types of spaces can start their own window boxes or pots and bask in the satisfaction of watching plants evolve and grow.
- Make it an Adventure – When exploring the city, try to look at it with a fresh perspective. Seek out a new and different perspective on each adventure – look up, study ants, collect leaves and pine cones. You never know what you might find.
Once out and about, consider a few simple steps to enrich the experience. Slow down and take your time observing the environment around you. Engage all 5 senses and take mental notes, by listening to birdsong, smelling the plants, feeling the grass and taking note of any interesting little creatures you spot. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, take a sketch book and start to draw or paint the local flora and fauna.
Another great way to explore nature in the city is to join an existing club or group or start your own. Bird watching is a great way to spot and identify species and also to learn more about their behaviour in the wild. Photography clubs are also popular and can provide an interactive way to learn more about the natural world and to document and capture different moments for posterity.
Exploring and connecting with nature in the city often detours us from our everyday routine. It opens a window to another realm where we can appreciate the beauty that can be found in our environment. From unique flora and fauna to the simple wonder of watching flower petals dance in the breeze, it’s the little things that can open our eyes to unexpected nature’s beauty, giving us a sense of peace and solace in the hustle and bustle.
3. Uncovering the Benefits of City Gardens and Parks
A Breath of Fresh Air
City parks and gardens can provide locals and tourists alike with an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Amid the smog-filled air, surrounded by noisy cars and hectic highways, it can feel like a far cry from a relaxing nature retreat. But with some thoughtful guidance and well-tended park spaces, visitors can reconnect with their natural roots and bask in the therapeutic power of the outdoors.
The possibilities of city gardens and parks are endless – from providing a playground for kids to explore, to offering fitness-minded adults an ideal setting for a brisk morning jog, there’s something for everyone. There’s the great outdoors, but indoors activities may also be available, from pavilions and gym facilities, to museums and cultural centers, and even amphitheaters for summer concerts and movies.
Further, green spaces in urban areas provide a uniquely beneficial value. They can give nature a boost, providing a haven for wildlife that might otherwise struggle to survive in man-made environments. There are also potential benefits for air quality, helping to reduce air pollution and improve the overall well-being of citizens.
Most significantly, parks and gardens can help to bring people together. This could be through sports and shared activities, or simply people mutual admiration of nature. In many ways, it can be an opportunity for families, friends, and even complete strangers to seek respite in the communal experience of peace and joy, free of judgement or pretense.
4. Uniting Communities Through Shared Greenspace
People have always gathered in public places to meet one another, talk, and celebrate community togetherness. Greenspaces, located in both urban and rural areas, bring people out of their homes and into the public realm. Public shared greenspaces unite and foster community identity, encourage physical activity, and offer a place of respite for those who need it.
At a public greenspace, one may witness a plethora of activities and pastimes from playing sports to taking leisurely walks. Having access to a greenspace provides an opportunity for people to relax, form connections with one another, and ultimately, strengthens their community. Abundant with trees, grass, and flower-filled settings, greenspaces provide calming atmospheres that enhance mental and physical well-being.
The following list comprises of the many advantages that sharing greenspaces among a community creates:
- Enhanced relationships between citizens
- Increased safety and security
- Relationships with nature and wildlife
- Elevated physical, mental, and emotional health
- Advancements concerning public health
Public greenspaces can act as spaces that foster a sense of inclusiveness. Having access to a shared greenspace allows for an increase in communal activities, encourages people of all ages to gather and interact, and further provides members of a community a larger platform upon which to become involved in their local environment.
5. Cultivating a Love of Nature in the City
The hustle and bustle of the city can quickly become a source of frustration—especially if it’s your everyday reality. For that reason, it’s important to bring a bit of nature into your life in the city. Here are five ways to cultivate a love of nature in the city.
- Go on a nature walk: At least once a week, try to find a nearby nature area to explore. Even if it’s your local park or a patch of green behind your building, take some time to appreciate the changing scenery.
- Grow a garden: Whether you create a sky-high balcony garden or a windowsill herb box, devote time to gardening. Not only will you reap the benefits of growing your own produce, but the activity itself is extremely calming and can provide a much-needed reprieve from the city.
- Tune in to nature: Even if you can’t physically get out of the city, there’s still a lot of nature to be seen from your home. Listen to the birds, watch cloud formations move across the sky or marvel at rainbows around the city.
- Observe wildlife: From pigeons to squirrels, there’s often an assortment of wildlife hiding in the city. Watch them to get insight into the small worlds around us.
- Take a day trip: If you’re able, take a day away from the city and immerse yourself in nature. Even if it’s an escape to the countryside or a hike to a nearby hill, you’ll be surprised at how rejuvenated you feel after spending a day in nature.
By fitting moments of nature into your day-to-day life in the city, you can learn to appreciate the beauty of nature more—even if it’s presented in a concrete jungle.
City gardens and parks reveal the untapped potential of urban green spaces — places to explore and enjoy, soaking up the beauty of the natural landscape. With an ever-growing number of parks and gardens across our urban centers, these treasured public spaces offer an opportunity to pause, reconnect with nature, and reap its many benefits. In the words of poet Richard Le Gallienne: “Wherever there is a green thing, there is hope.”
