PERKS OF THE PARK

As Love Parks Week is taking place this week (24 July - 1 August), encouraging people all across the country to appreciate the beauty of our parks, a new report from the UK body for public health specialists shows that parks may be beneficial to our health as well.The Faculty of Public Health report “The Great Outdoors: How Our Natural Health Service Uses Green Space To Improve Wellbeing” says parks are essential to our mental wellbeing. Nature’s impact on mental conditions in children such as depression or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has shown to be more effective than prescribed drugs because of the physical activity involved in outdoor leisure activities.Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, helps ensure the UK has the right skills to keep our parks in tip-top condition. David Winn, Lantra’s horticulture, landscaping and sports turf manager, said: “Encouraging people into a career in landscaping is essential for the maintenance of our parks. This report says poor mental health costs the UK economy £2.6 billion a year, so if parks can indeed help change this that’s good news. But don’t forget our parks need a highly skilled workforce to keep our green spaces accessible to everyone.”Not only do parks have a positive impact on visitors but they can help those working in them too. Susan Stuart, Battersea Park garden manager at horticultural therapy charity Thrive said: “There’s tangible evidence that gardening creates a sense of wellbeing. There’s so many things you can do with gardening, such as help people to develop, achieve and feel good about themselves and what they do.”To read more about how green spaces can impact our health, download the report at www.lantra.co.uk/horticulture-landscaping-sports-turf.
★
★
★
★
★
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • long live the parks lets hope that in the age of cut backs councils see the wonderful benefits of parks,and keep the green spaces open
This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Piers Dixon replied to Piers Dixon's discussion Advertising garden maintenance services
"Thanks for your response. Have you actually tried this??"
16 hours ago
trimmora updated their profile
17 hours ago
Fusion Media posted a blog post
After 26 years at Radley College, Adam King has seen grounds management evolve dramatically. Weather patterns have become less predictable, playing surfaces are under greater pressure than ever, and flexibility has become one of the most valuable…
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
GroundsFest has welcomed Christina Walker to its sales team as preparations continue for the 2027 exhibition.Christina joins the award-winning team with an extensive background in publishing and exhibitions spanning more than two decades. She began…
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
When freezing temperatures threaten the pitches at Forest Green Rovers FC, speed is everything. Protecting the stadium and training ground with frost covers can be a race against the weather, but thanks to Kress battery-powered blowers, the club's…
Thursday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
The GroundsFest Academy has confirmed TLS as its newest Platinum Sponsor, adding further industry strength to the Academy's range of sponsors and partners as it continues to expand its training offering for the groundscare sector. The sponsorship…
Thursday
Peter sellers replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi William, I would avoid working as a sub contractor if you can. Yes they will not pay a realistic rate as they will try to keep their profit as high as poss, in my experience getting paid was always an issue. We had a long and profitable…"
Wednesday
Billybop replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Thanks William, yes a bit like being a retained fire fighter I suppose. Monthly payments for a 12 month contract, knowing that worst case scenario only 6 months or so might require visits. Which could be very few and far between, or more numerous…"
Wednesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Richard, thank you for your reply. I've not approached either of these companies as yet, would you suggest Outco and Nurture are good companies to contact, and do you have any experience with either?"
Tuesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Peter, thank you very much for such a detailed response, and I'm sorry to hear of your ill health, I do hope you are well. Both of my existing clients that I'm looking to bring on board should be manageable, so they can hopefully help me to dip…"
Tuesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Billy, that's a really good idea, even if the contracts are a mix of 'subsciption' and ad-hoc, it at least covers the expense in a worst case scenario. "
Tuesday
Billybop replied to Rob's discussion Best professional battery hedge trimmer at present?
"Hi Tim i wear basic disposable ear plugs with either model if using for any extended period... not so much the volume per se, but it takes the edge off that irritating metallic sound... I think these are being sold for below cost, but heart warming…"
Tuesday
Tim Wallach replied to Rob's discussion Best professional battery hedge trimmer at present?
"My 130T arrived and was tested today.   It certainly runs fast...the high motor noise is slightly irritating compared to the rumble of the 130R though.  I've got used to working without ear defenders.    Planet tool owe you a finders fee."
Tuesday
Matt updated their profile
Nov 1
Matt posted a discussion
Morning all,I’m Matt from That Pond Guy, a specialist pond maintenance company based in Burham, Kent. I’ve just joined LJN and thought I’d introduce myself.We cover Kent, London and the wider South East, looking after everything from garden wildlife…
Nov 1
Matt is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
Nov 1
More…