How Denton Parks Help Reduce Crime, Boost Mental Health, and Revitalize the Community
Parks aren’t just about fun and games.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to the body and soul.” - John Muir
The nature and greenery of parks offer vitality to both life and community.
After the year we just experienced, it’s no secret that people desire to be united now more than ever. Last year alone, participation within the local parks of Denton increased to nearly 80%, as they restored the joy and refreshment so many of us craved.
Parks provided the space for people to connect with neighbors and loved ones through safe social distancing, as well as boost the mental health of many cooped up inside their homes.
This connection, unity, and vibrance is what the Denton Parks Foundation is all about.
The goal of Denton Parks Foundation is to engage the Denton community to enhance the mission of the Denton Parks Department to unite, grow and play. Through their investments, advocacy and volunteerism, accessibility to parks and a greater quality of life is ensured.
Bottom line is this–when communities unite, parks get better, and when parks get better, a stronger community is created.
Clearly, parks add vibrance and enjoyment to any community …
But let’s take a closer look at exactly why this happens.
Three values that make Denton parks and recreation essential services:
Just as water, sewer, and public safety are considered essential public services, parks are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community, ensuring the health of families and youth, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and a region.
Economic Value
Parks improve the local tax base and increase property values. Private property values actually increase the value of privately owned land the closer it is to parks. This increase in private property value serves to increase property tax revenues and improves local economies.
All around the United States, real estate brokers and homebuilders are advocating parks as one of the top residential selling points. Families are attracted to the dedicated open space and expansive views that parks provide. Clearly, by promoting, supporting, and revitalizing community parks, Denton can help attract a significant portion of the homebuying community.
Additionally, quality parks and recreation are cited as one of the top three reasons that motivate businesses to relocate. With them, businesses bring economic health, create local jobs, and develop a healthy local marketplace for the community.
Who knew parks had that much power?
2. Health and Environmental Benefits
Parks are one of the most popular places for individuals to go to get healthy and stay fit. Whether it be throwing a football back and forth with your kids, jogging on trails, or participating in a local exercise class, parks provide a place for children and families to connect with nature and restore their bodies back to a healthier disposition.
According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, creating, improving and promoting places to be physically active can improve individual and community health and result in a 25% increase of residents who exercise at least three times per week.
And if that weren’t incentive enough, a study by Penn State University showed significant correlations to reductions in stress, lowered blood pressure, and perceived physical health to the length of stay in visits to parks.
3. Social Importance
Parks provide a sense of public pride and cohesion to every community, and channel positive community participation by getting diverse people to work together toward a shared vision.
Parks offer gathering places for families and social groups, as well as for individuals of all ages and economic status, regardless of their ability to pay for access.
To put it simply–parks provide a level ground for unity.
Access to parks and recreation is also proven to create safer neighborhoods. Researchers in Austin,Texas, used a geographic information system (GIS) to determine if there was a relationship between the greenness of various neighborhoods and their crime levels. Not surprisingly, they found that areas with less than the average amount of greenness had more crime.
So what role does Denton Parks Foundation play in this?
Separate from the Denton Parks and Recreation Department, Denton Parks Foundation is a 501c3 that collaborates with the City of Denton, corporations, foundations and individuals to work together and meet the needs and expectations of the community.
Simply put–Denton Parks Foundation helps our community thrive through the revitalization and creation of local parks.
How do they do this?
Engagement
Denton Parks Foundation puts on numerous activities to keep the community engaged and unified.
Keep Denton Beautiful, Pick Up 10 on Tuesday, and Everyday May (to highlight the importance of a 10 minute walk to a park) are just a few examples of the initiatives taken on by the Foundation. They have also supported and collaborated on City of Denton large-scale community park planning and initiatives for:
Wiggly Field Dog Park
Cross Timbers Park Project
Eureka 2 Playground
Denton Community Splash Pad
North Lakes Park
2. Advocacy
Only 47% of Denton has a 10 minute access to parks–that’s less than half of the community. The national average of 52% puts Denton below the line.
The goal of Denton Parks Foundation is to increase that 10 minute walk percentage. But in order to have parks, you have to have land, which is why they are actively engaging in their efforts to purchase land right now.
This initiative also helps people explore other community parks rather than just local neighborhood parks. After all, Denton has 44 plus parks and trails, 28 playgrounds, 25 bridges, 23 pavilions, dozens of sports facilities, 5 recreation centers and gyms and too many classes to count.
They also provide access to recreational opportunities and child care services to children from low income families.
These scholarships include:
After-School Care
Pre-K
Recreational Programs
Summer Camps and Programs
Swim for Life
3. Investment
When it comes to parks, we tend to have a champagne taste but a beer budget.
Denton Parks Foundation helps increase that budget by fundraising for local parks. Through individual donations, special events, and grant writing, Denton Parks is able to further support what the limited tax funding provides.
“Park participation will stay after COVID. You don’t realize what you’re missing until you have the time to enjoy it, and have the space to enjoy life,” Denton Parks Foundation’s Executive Director, Brooke Moore states.
And the best part is, you can still enjoy the parks while escaping that brutal Texas sun.
Dive into the Denton Civic Center Pool
Enjoy the refreshment of water at Denton Water Works Park
Splish and splash at the Carl Gene Young Sr. Park Splash Pad
It’s time to get out and play. The invitation is open–Come one, come all!
Mark your calendars:
July 3rd - July Jubilee and Parade
Partake in a hotdog eating contest and Yankee Doodle Parade at the Denton Civic Center
September 1st - Denton County Brewing Company will create a unique libation to highlight a different park each season
$1 of tap will go to Denton Parks
October 20th - Park Crawl
Enjoy the new flavors of Denton County Brewing Company taps at each community park
End of summer, TBD - Splish Splash Doggie Bash
Get your pooches in on that swimming pool fun at the Denton Civic Center
