spring in the park Nicholas Hely Hutchinson

Nicholas Hely Hutchinson

Public parks play a vital role in our urban environments. They are not just patches of grass; they are essential green spaces that enhance community well-being. In a world increasingly dominated by concrete and steel, these parks offer a refuge of nature, promoting health, social interaction, and environmental benefits.

Use no-dig gardening to protect wildlife. Learn how to create pet-safe parks (all bulbs are toxic to pets). Don’t plant flowers in railing (deer get stuck in them) and ensure sloping sides for ponds, to let wildlife keep safe.

The Oregon city of Portland has way more parks than Sheffield (similar size and population). So it’s not like we can’t do the same: green quiet spaces with litter/recycling bins and solar lighting (that goes off at night, to avoid light pollution).

London Parks spends a year walking around the author’s favourite parks. From his local haunt on Hampstead Heather to Richmond Park to Battersea Park (with the little brown dog statue, in memory of the first victim of vivisection). Whether you’re spotting pelicans and politicians in St James’ Park or enjoying views from Greenwich Park, there’s something here for every city dweller.

Park Life is a book by travel writer Tom Chesshyre who recalls 50 of his favourite urban parks around the world, and what we can learn from them. Whether in Colombia or Korea, America or Australia, urban parks are places to feel calm amid the chaos.

Why Public Space Matters is a book that suggests to not sell off land to business, but make public spaces sustainable greenways for the public to play, meet, talk, read, debate and work. Looking at public spaces from New York to Costa Rica, the author shows why they matter and how we can expand and protect them, both at grassroots and national level. Setha M Low is a professor of environmental psychology.

The Importance of Public Parks

Public parks are a breath of fresh air, literally. They improve local biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife. This contributes to a balanced ecosystem in urban areas, where natural habitats are often scarce. Parks also help to purify the air by absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen.

Additionally, they play a role in urban cooling, combating the heat island effect common in cities. Imagine walking through a park on a hot summer day; the shade from trees can significantly lower temperatures, making the environment more comfortable.

Access to parks encourages physical activity among community members. Whether it’s jogging, cycling, or simply walking, parks provide the space for people to engage in exercise. This active lifestyle leads to better physical health, reducing risks of chronic diseases.

Moreover, parks have a positive impact on mental health. Nature has a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety. Just think about how a simple walk in a green space can lift your mood. Parks also foster social interaction, bringing people together for community events or casual gatherings, thus enhancing social ties.

Parks serve as community hubs. They are spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together. This fosters a sense of belonging and community pride. Events such as local festivals, farmers’ markets, and art shows often take place in parks, promoting cultural activities and engagement.

Parks can transform neighbourhoods, turning them into vibrant areas where relationships flourish and collaborations happen.

Types of Public Parks

City parks are often found in urban centres. These parks are designed for quick access, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. They typically feature walking paths, benches, and playgrounds, making them suitable for families, commuters, and anyone looking for a quick escape into nature.

Nature reserves and wildlife parks focus on conservation and habitat protection. These parks are crucial for preserving biodiversity. They offer visitors a chance to connect with nature, often featuring educational programs about local flora and fauna. Such parks remind us of the importance of protecting our environment and the creatures that inhabit it.

A Guide to London’s Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of England’s most popular parks, attracting millions of residents and tourists each year. A former hunting ground (built in 1536 by King Henry VIII), he ‘stole the park’ from local monks who used the area as a place of worship and to garden. He forced the monks to go elsewhere and began to use the park to hunt deer.

Today thankfully no deer are hunted in this park and instead the 350 acres of land is home to over 4000 trees and an antique bandstand. Nearby Marble Arch was designed to be an add-on to Buckingham Palace, before being moved to nearby Hyde Park.

Lake Serpentine is not actually a lake, it’s a pool built by royalty. This 40-acre body of water was built at the request of Queen Caroline in 1730 and marks a boundary from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, with water originally pumped from the river Thames.

Hyde Park is also home to a ‘speakers’ corner’ used for campaigning. Two famous speeches were in 1855 (when riots broke out over a Sunday Trading Bill, which Karl Marx called ‘the beginning of the English Revolution).

And in 1972 when three Irish republicans were arrested after giving speeches following Bloody Sunday (after British troops opened fire and killed 13 civil rights demonstrators in Derry). And of course the park suffered tragedy in 1982, when an IRA bomb which killed four men and seven horses.

Park Benches (made from waste)

ecotribo park bench

What we love about this company is it has gone even further, now making furniture from ocean plastic.

ecotribo green park bench

Ideal for public parks or schools, these are in 2 different designs in a range of colours, and very durable in wet weather. All they need is to be wiped clean now and then, and they’ll last for years.

marmax foldable chair

Marmex Recycled Products is a unique company that has (for years) been making and selling quality outdoor furniture like park benches and picnic tables to councils and the like. The difference is that rather being made from wood, are made from recycled milk bottles.

Avoid the recycled plastic nest boxes. RSPB says plastic makes birds damp/cold (also avoid metal that overheats). Use quality plain wood boxes, treated water-based preservative. 

This outdoor furniture is weatherproof and easy to wipe-clean. All items are class 3 fire retardant and fall under the proper safety rules. You may see occasional white flecks (from the bottles, can be a talking point!)

This outdoor furniture will not rot, corrode or splinter. And is is guaranteed to last for at least 25 years. Everything is handmade in a factory in Durham (where it’s cold and windy, most of the time!)

The city of Durham is built (like Rome) on seven hills!

One bench from this company uses up around 2000 plastic bottles, to save them languishing on landfills. Although the items started off in just black and brown, now it’s renowned for offering brightly-coloured items too, even in a rainbow of colours, ideal for play parks.

Most items are easy to assemble (you just need a spanner). And full assembly and ground-screw instructions are on the website.

marmax recycled bench

What makes this company super-special is that has an entire range for special needs. So if you are designing a public space or school playground for children in wheelchairs, this company can accommodate it, to make everyone feel included. Other products include:

  • Litter Bins are weatherproof and won’t fade in the sun.
  • Dog poop bins and Log Stores.
  • Benches, Coffee Tables and Picnic Tables
  • Path Posts (for directions)
  • Log stores
  • Ramps and platforms for wildlife ponds
  • We like the Goal Wall that is better than football nets (which if not stored away after use, after often a wildlife hazard, especially foxes). The company also makes golf signs.

Recycled Plastic Raised Gardening Beds

These are a real favourite. Just fill with peat-free soil and grow your own food and flowers (ideal for older people and wheelchair-users).

Use no-dig gardening and fruit protection bags (over netting, which can trap birds and wildlife). Learn how to create pet-safe gardens (use humane slug/snail deterrents). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.

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