How To Make A Difference In Your Local Park System
Your local park is not only a beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy the nature of your hometown, but it’s also essential to the well-being of your overall community. Local parks offer opportunities for recreation, social interactions, and physical activity, all of which our kids need more than ever. But parks often face challenges, which is where you can step in and help.
Feb 13, 2024382 Shares6362 Views
Your local park is not only a beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy the nature of your hometown, but it’s also essential to the well-being of your overall community. Local parks offer opportunities for recreation, social interactions, and physical activity, all of which our kids need more than ever. But parks often face challenges, which is where you can step in and help.
Today, Connecticut Independent explores waysyou can be a park advocate and offer suggestions on everything from reducing noise pollution to working with your local officials on beefing up safety precautions.
Reduce Noise Pollution
Traditionally, noise pollution is thought of in terms of “inescapable sounds that can cause hearing loss, stress, and high blood pressure.” National Geographic also asserts that noise pollution affects animals as well. And it’s not just jackhammers and airplanes. At a smaller level, the noise we make in the parks can take a toll on other people’s enjoyment of these lands. As an advocate of your public parks, talk to your city leaders about reducing the number or volume of loud events, like concerts, taking place in these areas.
Advocate For Enhancements That Boost Property Values
Green spaces are not only great for your community as a whole in terms of recreation and enjoyment, but they can also boost home values. People are willing to pay more for homes and apartments near these areas, which offer significant environmental benefits. As with your home’s curb appeal, having more (and more usable) parks in an area can boost property values. When the city/neighborhood maintains its green spaces, homeowners in these areas are also more likely to keep their homes neat, tidy, and more visually appealing.
Work With Leaders To Add Safety Improvements
Safety is one of the main factors in park enjoyment. Spend some time evaluating your local park and see if you notice any safety concerns. If so, report them to the appropriate authorities. You can also work with city/county leaders to improve lighting and reduce visibility barriers. Simple changes, such as adding overhead lights and trimming the shrubs, can go a long way toward ensuring your parks are safe for everyone. Eaton discusses lighting and design and notes that this is also a great way to enhance landscaping and increase safetyof an area.
Start a Nonprofit
Starting a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local parks can offer several benefits, including tax benefits and credibility. Nonprofits typically enjoy tax-exempt status, which means they are exempt from federal and state income taxes on their revenue, donations, and property. This tax exemption can lead to significant savings, allowing more resources to be directed towards the organization's mission of improving and maintaining local parks.
Additionally, donors to nonprofit park organizations may be eligible for tax deductions, incentivizing individuals and businesses to contribute to the cause. Beyond tax benefits, nonprofits can also access grants and fundraising opportunities that are often exclusively available to charitable organizations, further enhancing their capacity to make a positive impact on local parks and the community as a whole.
Look For Ways To Increase Park Funding
A lack of funding is the greatest challenge that many parks (especially in smaller towns) face. Get together with those in your community, including parents and small business owners, to come up with creative ideas to improve funding for your local parks. There are many ways that you can raise money to donate to your cause. The Donor Box blog recommends using the internet, text, and crowdfunding.
Insist On Inclusivity
When you’re looking for ways to keep your local parks safe and well-funded, don’t forget to insist on inclusivity. Advocate for inclusive designs, whether that’s ramps, handrails, accessible restrooms, or play spaces suitable for everyone. An inclusive playground, for example, welcomes children and families of all abilities, making the spaces a more desirable amenity for all members of your community.
Remember, your local parks system is an important part of your community; these are the spaces that we use for recreation and socialization. Keeping your local parks safe, clean, and accessible can also improve home values. And, even as a nonprofit, when you advocate for spaces everyone can love, whether it’s a wheelchair ramp or fewer noise-causing events, you work toward making your community a better place for the people that call it home.
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