Image created by blog author, Isabelle Lim using Canva
Green spaces also provide social benefits. As a kid, some of my most memorable times were when my parents bought me to the park. It was there that I learnt how to make new friends, to take turns on the slide and just enjoy frolicking in the open space. With the wind in my hair and sunshine on my face, all I cared about in that moment was just to have fun with my friends. Green spaces are beneficial for fostering social interaction in both young and old alike. There is just something so magical about playing green spaces. Research has shown that green spaces foster collaboration among children and one potential mechanism is through the reduction of aggressive behaviour. When children are allowed to play outdoors, it greatly reduced their aggression levels thus potentially promotes the opportunity for cooperation and teamwork. Not to mention running outdoors boosts the child’s sensorimotor skills and social skills when they have to navigate and share the play area with other playmates.
Green spaces also help to strengthen community support and interaction. This is especially true for urban parks which are structured and manicured areas that promote social cohesion. Parks are created for recreational use, they are free and accessible to anyone and everyone. Many park goers engage in different types of activities such as cycling, jogging, rollerblading, and many more. Due to the vast expanse of space, parks are also conducive for conducting larger group activities such as yoga or exercise classes. In Singapore, free aerobics classes are conducted at neighbourhood parks and open to people of all age groups to participate. These various activities that are conducted in parks provide opportunities for people to mingle and form new friendships with their neighbours.
Many of these parks also have outdoor fitness equipment that are elderly-friendly. These facilities not only help to promote a healthy lifestyle but also encourage social interaction among older adults. In Singapore, the ageing population is likely to grow to 19% by 2030 and there is an increasing trend of elderly living alone, most of them reside in one room flats. Elderly who live alone are at greater risk of depression and suicidal tendencies. Parks can mediate these consequences by providing elderlies with opportunities to meet new friends that fight this battle of social isolation.
