Parks and Greenspace Along the Beltline

Weekends usually consist of Saturday mornings at the gym followed by a walk along the beltline. As such, this photo was taken on a Saturday morning in March on one of my usual after gym walks. There are several green spaces along the Eastside Trail of the Beltline which connect the Skate park (pictured above ), the Old Fourth Ward Park ( pictured below) and Piedmont Park. Incorporating access to green space in city planning is critically important for mental health, especially for city residents, to reduce fatigue, depression and other adverse mental health conditions.  Historically, people have not resided in vast, densely populated ( largely concrete) areas essentially removed from any and all natural influences. And, as such, optimal mental health is not developed in strictly urban settings. Thus, the importance of designing green space into city and regional planning.  The Atlanta Beltline organization has done well in promoting the importance of designing access to green space within the overall development plan. People often use the spaces to read or meditate as well as play sports or sunbathe. Green spaces provide a respite from the stress of everyday life and are an effective tool to refresh and refocus the mind.  The picture below is of the Old Fourth Ward park.  Included with this park is a children's play ground (not pictures).  For children, access to green space is also critically important as it can improve their attention and classroom participation.  Green spaces are also documented to help naturally manage ADD/ADHD commonly found in children as well. Youth benefit greatly from parks and green space as well.   The young man skateboarding in the picture above has been provided an outlet to learn a new skill and/or develop an interest which promotes active living through implementation of the Skate park.   The construction of the skate park as part of the new Eastside trail development has given this person access to physical sport which may not have been previously pursued.  Without access to such outlets and planned activity for youth, who are more prone to poor decision making, it is possible that extra energy could be applied elsewhere in a less productive and viable manner.