The benefits of pocket parks



How often do you go to the park? Is it part of your everyday life, or a trip that you plan? Many large urban parks are situated far from where people live, meaning they are a destination for planned visits rather than everyday life. For example, only 14% of the population of Los Angeles have a park within walking distance.



Also, the distribution of such parks is often relatively unequal, meaning that they benefit some areas and groups of people much more than others. A number of studies have shown that it is often disadvantaged neighbourhoods that lack easy access to green spaces.



It's rarely practical to address this by creating large new parks, but designating small parcels of land, empty lots, or even parts of quiet streets as pocket parks can have a major impact on residents' quality of life.



Often no larger than a few tennis courts and located within neighbourhoods close to where people live, these green spaces can strengthen community bonds. They provide a place to meet neighbours, or a play area for children. Green gyms or ball game areas can give local people a space to exercise in, improving public health outcomes. Local businesses can use spaces to promote their products or organise events to help them grow.



A study by the University of Philadelphia, showed that crime was reduced in neighbourhoods with pocket parks, compared to those which left empty spaces derelict. Studies report that where space is used to make pocket parks, communities feel greater ownership of and attachment towards their neighbourhood.



As well as benefits for the human population, an increase in green space can benefit the local environment. Pocket parks can act as stepping stones, allowing wildlife to travel across the city, as well as providing habitats for different species. Parks provide increased tree canopy cover, offering shade which can counteract urban heat island effects, helping to reduce temperatures. Trees also help to reduce air pollution, and green space allows water to drain away, reducing flood risks.



Could pocket parks be a relatively cheap way to strengthen communities and improve local environments?



词汇表

situate [ˈsɪtʃueɪt] 使位于，使坐落于

walking distance 步行距离（能方便地通过步行到达的距离）

disadvantaged  [ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒd] 贫困的，条件差的，弱势的

neighbourhood [ˈneɪbəhʊd] 社区，住宅区，街区；邻近地区

designate [ˈdezɪɡneɪt] 指定，划定（特征、用途）

small parcels of land [ˈpɑːslz] 小块土地

empty lot [lɒt] 空地，闲置土地

pocket park [ˈpɒkɪt pɑːk] 口袋公园，袖珍公园（规模较小的公园绿化活动场地）

tennis court [ˈtenɪs kɔːt] 网球场

community bonds [kəˈmjuːnəti bɒndz] 社区凝聚力，社区纽带

green gym [dʒɪm] 绿色健身房（户外自然环境中设置的健身场所）

Philadelphia [ˌfɪləˈdelfiə] 费城（美国宾夕法尼亚州最大城市）

derelict [ˈderəlɪkt] （建筑物或土地）荒废的，弃置的

ownership [ˈəʊnəʃɪp] 归属感；所有权，产权

attachment [əˈtætʃmənt] 依恋，眷恋，深厚的情感

stepping stone [ˈstepɪŋ stəʊn] 垫脚石，前进的帮助手段

habitat [ˈhæbɪtæt] （动植物的）栖息地，生长环境

canopy cover [ˈkænəpi] 树冠覆盖率

counteract [ˌkaʊntərˈækt] 缓解，抵消，对抗

urban heat island effect [ˈɜːbən hiːt ˈaɪlənd ɪˈfekt] 城市热岛效应（由于人类活动导致城市的温度高于周边地区）

drain away [dreɪn] 排水，流走；渐渐枯竭



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