Recreation is defined as activities whose primary purpose is enjoyment. Recreation can be physical, like playing ball, or it can be social, like meeting friends at the local coffee shop. While different people may have different ideas about how to spend free time, it is generally agreed upon that recreational activities benefit our minds and bodies. Studies show that recreation promotes family bonds, acceptance of cultural diversity, and is important for youth development.
Our neighborhoods can promote recreation and physical activity by providing everyday access to spaces for recreation. Yet, not all neighborhoods are close to traditional recreational venues such as parks or trails.
Increasing access to recreational venues in park-poor and built-out communities may take creativity on the part of municipalities. At the same time, underutilized spaces in all our communities may hold opportunities to augment local recreational opportunities, if only we have a vision. Sometimes solutions are right in front of us. People are more likely to walk or bike if they live on tree lined streets with safe crossings and other amenities to make walking more comfortable. Parking lots take up between 10 to 15% of our land. Yet many parking lots are used primarily only during weekday office hours. As our concrete river channels sit waiting for the next rain storm to serve a purpose, they offer expansive areas that are could be utilized by the communities they border. Such underutilized spaces might one day host farmer markets, art walks, food truck gatherings, pop-up parks, plazas for music, movie nights or even temporary skate parks. What kind of recreational opportunities do you want to see in your neighborhood?
Where communities need more access to recreation and space is at a premium, communities and civic leaders would be well-served to think creatively about adapting the existing built-environment for play and rest for the body and mind.
