#accessiblegreenspaces — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #accessiblegreenspaces, aggregated by home.social.
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#US - #Wheelchair #AccessibleTrails
Explore wheelchair accessible trails on #TrailLink.
"Use our comprehensive trail guides with descriptions, photos, and reviews to plan your next wheelchair accessible trail adventure.
Here you'll find long-distance trails in both remote regions of the West and in populated parts of the East and Midwest.
Many routes listed on TrailLink are wheelchair accessible trails, providing not only recreation but safe pathways for wheelchair users and others with special mobility needs. While standards for #ADACompliance on wheelchair trails are not uniform, many trail management groups do make wheelchair accessibility a priority. Our criteria for trail accessibility consider the trail's grade, surface, and width as well as its access points.
Routes noted as wheelchair trails on this website generally have an asphalt or concrete surface, although some crushed limestone trails are also suitable for wheelchairs. We try to note convenient access points and accessible parking facilities. However, not all trails marked as wheelchair friendly are accessible throughout the entire trail's length. When in doubt, check the links provided with a particular trail (under "Related Content" on the trail description page) to see if it truly is a wheelchair accessible trail.
The trail description on TrailLink should indicate where sections are not wheelchair accessible, but again, some don't simply because we may not have that information. We do rely on local trail users, so let us know the details if you encounter useful information—or misinformation!
All trails listed on TrailLink are multiuse, so keep in mind the common right-of-way rules of thumb, unless otherwise posted on the trail: wheelchair users yield to horses.
Explore wheelchair trails and wheelchair trail maps on TrailLink and use our comprehensive trail guides with descriptions, photos, and reviews to plan your next outdoor adventure. Use our filter search feature to find accessible trails that meet your needs and tastes.
Though we try to provide the most up-to-date information wheelchair accessible trails, we don't always get it right. If you find any errors on TrailLink, please let us know by clicking on the "edit this trail" link and giving us updates; include as many details as possible.
Also, you can help your fellow wheelchair trail users by posting a review of the trail and noting accessibility details that will prove useful for their journey."
Learn more:
https://www.traillink.com/activity/wheelchair-accessible-trails/#SolarPunkSunday #SpendTimeInNature
#WheelchairAccessibleTrails #Accessibility #Inclusivity #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleGreenSpaces -
#US - #Wheelchair #AccessibleTrails
Explore wheelchair accessible trails on #TrailLink.
"Use our comprehensive trail guides with descriptions, photos, and reviews to plan your next wheelchair accessible trail adventure.
Here you'll find long-distance trails in both remote regions of the West and in populated parts of the East and Midwest.
Many routes listed on TrailLink are wheelchair accessible trails, providing not only recreation but safe pathways for wheelchair users and others with special mobility needs. While standards for #ADACompliance on wheelchair trails are not uniform, many trail management groups do make wheelchair accessibility a priority. Our criteria for trail accessibility consider the trail's grade, surface, and width as well as its access points.
Routes noted as wheelchair trails on this website generally have an asphalt or concrete surface, although some crushed limestone trails are also suitable for wheelchairs. We try to note convenient access points and accessible parking facilities. However, not all trails marked as wheelchair friendly are accessible throughout the entire trail's length. When in doubt, check the links provided with a particular trail (under "Related Content" on the trail description page) to see if it truly is a wheelchair accessible trail.
The trail description on TrailLink should indicate where sections are not wheelchair accessible, but again, some don't simply because we may not have that information. We do rely on local trail users, so let us know the details if you encounter useful information—or misinformation!
All trails listed on TrailLink are multiuse, so keep in mind the common right-of-way rules of thumb, unless otherwise posted on the trail: wheelchair users yield to horses.
Explore wheelchair trails and wheelchair trail maps on TrailLink and use our comprehensive trail guides with descriptions, photos, and reviews to plan your next outdoor adventure. Use our filter search feature to find accessible trails that meet your needs and tastes.
Though we try to provide the most up-to-date information wheelchair accessible trails, we don't always get it right. If you find any errors on TrailLink, please let us know by clicking on the "edit this trail" link and giving us updates; include as many details as possible.
Also, you can help your fellow wheelchair trail users by posting a review of the trail and noting accessibility details that will prove useful for their journey."
Learn more:
https://www.traillink.com/activity/wheelchair-accessible-trails/#SolarPunkSunday #SpendTimeInNature
#WheelchairAccessibleTrails #Accessibility #Inclusivity #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleGreenSpaces -
‘The nourishing soil of the soul’: The role of #HorticulturalTherapy in promoting well-being in community-dwelling people with #dementia
#Gardening can help people with dementia feel more active, connected, and less lonely by improving their physical and mental well-being. The article highlights the need for more #Accessible gardening programs in the community to support social engagement and a better quality of life.
Summary:
"This article explores how gardening and nature-based activities can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, especially those in a long-term care community. Many individuals with dementia experience loneliness and a decline in their ability to engage in daily activities. Gardening offers a way to stay active, connect with nature, and interact with others. Which can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve both physical and mental health. Despite strong evidence of its benefits in care homes, horticultural therapy is not widely used in community settings.
The authors highlight the need for more opportunities for people with dementia to engage in gardening, as it can promote social connections and a sense of purpose. They argue that making gardens accessible and integrating horticultural therapy into community care programs could significantly improve quality of life. By encouraging outdoor activities, people with dementia may feel more included, confident, and independent in their daily lives."
Article [academic paywall]:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301215623889#SolarPunkSunday #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature #CommunityLiving #AccessibleGardens #AccessibleGreenSpaces #LivingWithDementia #SpendTimeOutdoors
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‘The nourishing soil of the soul’: The role of #HorticulturalTherapy in promoting well-being in community-dwelling people with #dementia
#Gardening can help people with dementia feel more active, connected, and less lonely by improving their physical and mental well-being. The article highlights the need for more #Accessible gardening programs in the community to support social engagement and a better quality of life.
Summary:
"This article explores how gardening and nature-based activities can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, especially those in a long-term care community. Many individuals with dementia experience loneliness and a decline in their ability to engage in daily activities. Gardening offers a way to stay active, connect with nature, and interact with others. Which can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve both physical and mental health. Despite strong evidence of its benefits in care homes, horticultural therapy is not widely used in community settings.
The authors highlight the need for more opportunities for people with dementia to engage in gardening, as it can promote social connections and a sense of purpose. They argue that making gardens accessible and integrating horticultural therapy into community care programs could significantly improve quality of life. By encouraging outdoor activities, people with dementia may feel more included, confident, and independent in their daily lives."
Article [academic paywall]:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301215623889#SolarPunkSunday #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature #CommunityLiving #AccessibleGardens #AccessibleGreenSpaces #LivingWithDementia #SpendTimeOutdoors
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‘The nourishing soil of the soul’: The role of #HorticulturalTherapy in promoting well-being in community-dwelling people with #dementia
#Gardening can help people with dementia feel more active, connected, and less lonely by improving their physical and mental well-being. The article highlights the need for more #Accessible gardening programs in the community to support social engagement and a better quality of life.
Summary:
"This article explores how gardening and nature-based activities can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, especially those in a long-term care community. Many individuals with dementia experience loneliness and a decline in their ability to engage in daily activities. Gardening offers a way to stay active, connect with nature, and interact with others. Which can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve both physical and mental health. Despite strong evidence of its benefits in care homes, horticultural therapy is not widely used in community settings.
The authors highlight the need for more opportunities for people with dementia to engage in gardening, as it can promote social connections and a sense of purpose. They argue that making gardens accessible and integrating horticultural therapy into community care programs could significantly improve quality of life. By encouraging outdoor activities, people with dementia may feel more included, confident, and independent in their daily lives."
Article [academic paywall]:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301215623889#SolarPunkSunday #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature #CommunityLiving #AccessibleGardens #AccessibleGreenSpaces #LivingWithDementia #SpendTimeOutdoors
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‘The nourishing soil of the soul’: The role of #HorticulturalTherapy in promoting well-being in community-dwelling people with #dementia
#Gardening can help people with dementia feel more active, connected, and less lonely by improving their physical and mental well-being. The article highlights the need for more #Accessible gardening programs in the community to support social engagement and a better quality of life.
Summary:
"This article explores how gardening and nature-based activities can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, especially those in a long-term care community. Many individuals with dementia experience loneliness and a decline in their ability to engage in daily activities. Gardening offers a way to stay active, connect with nature, and interact with others. Which can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve both physical and mental health. Despite strong evidence of its benefits in care homes, horticultural therapy is not widely used in community settings.
The authors highlight the need for more opportunities for people with dementia to engage in gardening, as it can promote social connections and a sense of purpose. They argue that making gardens accessible and integrating horticultural therapy into community care programs could significantly improve quality of life. By encouraging outdoor activities, people with dementia may feel more included, confident, and independent in their daily lives."
Article [academic paywall]:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301215623889#SolarPunkSunday #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature #CommunityLiving #AccessibleGardens #AccessibleGreenSpaces #LivingWithDementia #SpendTimeOutdoors
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‘The nourishing soil of the soul’: The role of #HorticulturalTherapy in promoting well-being in community-dwelling people with #dementia
#Gardening can help people with dementia feel more active, connected, and less lonely by improving their physical and mental well-being. The article highlights the need for more #Accessible gardening programs in the community to support social engagement and a better quality of life.
Summary:
"This article explores how gardening and nature-based activities can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, especially those in a long-term care community. Many individuals with dementia experience loneliness and a decline in their ability to engage in daily activities. Gardening offers a way to stay active, connect with nature, and interact with others. Which can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve both physical and mental health. Despite strong evidence of its benefits in care homes, horticultural therapy is not widely used in community settings.
The authors highlight the need for more opportunities for people with dementia to engage in gardening, as it can promote social connections and a sense of purpose. They argue that making gardens accessible and integrating horticultural therapy into community care programs could significantly improve quality of life. By encouraging outdoor activities, people with dementia may feel more included, confident, and independent in their daily lives."
Article [academic paywall]:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301215623889#SolarPunkSunday #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature #CommunityLiving #AccessibleGardens #AccessibleGreenSpaces #LivingWithDementia #SpendTimeOutdoors
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How to Make a #SensoryGarden—the Landscaping Trend That Engages All 5 Senses
The growing trend is designed to help you #ConnectWithNature and practice #mindfulness.
Madeline Buiano, May 9, 2025
Excerpt: "Benefits of a Sensory Garden
Gardens are always beautiful, but there are many reasons why sensory gardens are specifically beneficial for the body, mind, and soul, including the following:
- #Accessibility: Everyone can enjoy a sensory garden. 'Equally, people with #disabilities can benefit from a range of sensory opportunities,' says Rebecca Lane, arboretum supervisor at #KewGardens. 'Visually impaired people, for example, can explore through touch, smell, and sound.' People with hearing impairments can enjoy the space through touch, smell, and taste.
- Mindfulness: The elements of a sensory garden help people practice the principles of mindfulness. 'The sense of touch sends a signal to the brain and nervous system, and we focus on feeling,' says Langelo. 'We start feeling in the present. We focus on a particular plant, and that becomes our world at present. This is mindfulness. It is a state of being present.'
- Stress and anxiety relief: 'In helping to awaken all five senses, these gardens reduce stress and anxiety for any individual and allow the individual to focus more clearly on their environment, which is the sacred space within the garden,' says Langelo."Learn more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/sensory-garden-8403999#SolarPunkSunday #InclusiveSpaces
#SensoryFriendlyGardens #Inclusivity #SpendTimeInNature #NatureHeals #AccessibleGreenSpaces -
How to Make a #SensoryGarden—the Landscaping Trend That Engages All 5 Senses
The growing trend is designed to help you #ConnectWithNature and practice #mindfulness.
Madeline Buiano, May 9, 2025
Excerpt: "Benefits of a Sensory Garden
Gardens are always beautiful, but there are many reasons why sensory gardens are specifically beneficial for the body, mind, and soul, including the following:
- #Accessibility: Everyone can enjoy a sensory garden. 'Equally, people with #disabilities can benefit from a range of sensory opportunities,' says Rebecca Lane, arboretum supervisor at #KewGardens. 'Visually impaired people, for example, can explore through touch, smell, and sound.' People with hearing impairments can enjoy the space through touch, smell, and taste.
- Mindfulness: The elements of a sensory garden help people practice the principles of mindfulness. 'The sense of touch sends a signal to the brain and nervous system, and we focus on feeling,' says Langelo. 'We start feeling in the present. We focus on a particular plant, and that becomes our world at present. This is mindfulness. It is a state of being present.'
- Stress and anxiety relief: 'In helping to awaken all five senses, these gardens reduce stress and anxiety for any individual and allow the individual to focus more clearly on their environment, which is the sacred space within the garden,' says Langelo."Learn more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/sensory-garden-8403999#SolarPunkSunday #InclusiveSpaces
#SensoryFriendlyGardens #Inclusivity #SpendTimeInNature #NatureHeals #AccessibleGreenSpaces -
Creating #SensoryGardens for #Neurodiverse Individuals: A Guide to #Inclusive #OutdoorSpaces
By Elena, Sep 23, 2025
"Imagine a #garden that doesn’t just ask to be looked at, but to be felt. A place where the rustle of leaves is a gentle song, the scent of #lavender is a calming blanket, and the texture of smooth river stones is a quiet anchor. This is the essence of a #SensoryGarden designed for #neurodiverse individuals—a space that understands that we all experience the world in beautifully different ways.
"#Neurodiversity is the idea that variations in brain function—like #autism, #ADHD, #dyslexia, and others—are natural, human variations. Not deficits. And for many neurodiverse people, sensory processing is a key part of that experience. Some folks are #hypersensitive, where a buzzing bee can feel overwhelming. Others are #hyposensitive, seeking out #IntenseSensoryInput to feel regulated. A well-designed sensory garden caters to this entire spectrum, creating a sanctuary that can reduce anxiety, improve focus, and simply provide a much-needed refuge from an #overstimulating world."
Learn more:
https://simplegardeningideas.com/creating-sensory-gardens-for-neurodiverse-individuals/#SolarPunkSunday #InclusiveSpaces #SensoryFriendlyGardens #Inclusivity #SpendTimeInNature #NatureHeals #AccessibleGreenSpaces
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Creating #SensoryGardens for #Neurodiverse Individuals: A Guide to #Inclusive #OutdoorSpaces
By Elena, Sep 23, 2025
"Imagine a #garden that doesn’t just ask to be looked at, but to be felt. A place where the rustle of leaves is a gentle song, the scent of #lavender is a calming blanket, and the texture of smooth river stones is a quiet anchor. This is the essence of a #SensoryGarden designed for #neurodiverse individuals—a space that understands that we all experience the world in beautifully different ways.
"#Neurodiversity is the idea that variations in brain function—like #autism, #ADHD, #dyslexia, and others—are natural, human variations. Not deficits. And for many neurodiverse people, sensory processing is a key part of that experience. Some folks are #hypersensitive, where a buzzing bee can feel overwhelming. Others are #hyposensitive, seeking out #IntenseSensoryInput to feel regulated. A well-designed sensory garden caters to this entire spectrum, creating a sanctuary that can reduce anxiety, improve focus, and simply provide a much-needed refuge from an #overstimulating world."
Learn more:
https://simplegardeningideas.com/creating-sensory-gardens-for-neurodiverse-individuals/#SolarPunkSunday #InclusiveSpaces #SensoryFriendlyGardens #Inclusivity #SpendTimeInNature #NatureHeals #AccessibleGreenSpaces
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Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth
Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature
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Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth
Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature
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Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth
Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature
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Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth
Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature
-
Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth
Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature