Parks are fun!

The contribution of parks spaces to personal enjoyment and quality of life in a community is significant and broadly recognized both anecdotally and through research data. A 2011 study of over 1,100 parents of 2 to 12 year olds in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom found that the more time a family spends together at a playground, the greater their overall sense of family well-being. Three-quarters also wished that their family had time to visit a playground more often.8
A 2013 Canadian study commissioned by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation further reflected the value that residents place on having quality park spaces in their community. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) indicated that local parks were “very important” to them and their family. Additionally, 68% of Canadians are concerned about the loss of green space in their community.9
Data from the Lethbridge sub-segment of the 2008 Alberta Recreation Survey further reflects the popularity of many activities that residents enjoy in the communities park spaces:
- 80% of Lethbridge households “walk for pleasure”.
- 62% of Lethbridge households attend fairs or festivals.
- 52% of Lethbridge households participate in bicycling.
- 38% of Lethbridge households picnic in City parks.
- 32% of Lethbridge households participate in jogging / running.
8 Harris Interactive (2011). Playgrounds Increase Sense Of Family Well-Being. Washington, District of Columbia. Foresters.
9 TD Friends of the Environment Foundation survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid (2013)
Other Articles of Interest
Bikebridge Upcoming Meeting and Biking Events
Walking Poles - Demo and Info Session
At Our Fingertips: The Hidden World of Insects and Spiders exhibit