Parks: The Landscape Architect's Contribution to America's Health and Well-Being
March 2026 Parks Issue Commentary
Parks continue to be a staple project for nearly all Practicing Landscape Architects and according to numerous studies are also increasingly crucial for the public's physical and mental health, making parks a necessity for cities and communities nationwide. I encourage the profession to continue to advocate for more community outdoor spaces especially in impoverished and underserved areas.
Limited Park Access in the US
Many Americans do not have easy access to public parks and outdoor green spaces. This represents a massive opportunity for growth in the Landscape Architect profession. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) released a study showing that over 1/3 of people in the US, including 28 million children, do not have access to a park within a 10 minute walk, while the CDC says it's more than 50%, with 25% being over a mile away. This means that the vast majority of Americans have to travel to access these public spaces, making low-income communities the most affected. Landscape Architects should lead the charge in advocating to bridge this gap. In doing so increasing specification projects for nationwide firms and making a real impact in these communities.
Parks have a Quantifiable Impact on Public Health
Public parks have been statistically proven to increase public, physical, and mental health. According to The Power of Parks to Promote Health, people in cities with top Parkscores1 rankings are 9% less likely to suffer from mental health issue and 21% more likely to be physically active. The CDC notes that individuals living more than 1km from green spaces are 50% more likely to experience stress and mental health issues. A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine shows a direct correlation to significant reductions in BMI among youth participating in park based after school programs. That same study also showed a 31% decrease in juvenile arrests in areas where park-based programs are implemented. When Landscape Architects specify and design a park, it is a vital civil investment to the public's health, safety and welfare.
The Playgrounds Column on page 21 provides more information about how Universal Design Principles in playground design are increasing park usage among both adults and children, further improving the impact of parks on communities nationwide.
I urge The ASLA to focus its advocacy efforts on increasing park development. A stronger focus on this over say car emissions will both bolster the profession and service the general public's health, safety and welfare.
God Bless . . .
Nathan Schmok, Associate Publisher
nschmok@landscapearchitect.com
1 Trust for Public Land's ParkScore® index provides a comprehensive evaluation of park systems in the 100 most populated cities in the United States
