b'PARKLANDPhoto by Albert Camicioli PhotographyParks Are the New MedicineHow COVID-19 made parks BY CYNTHIA GRAHAM,OALA, CSLA essential to healthy citiesThe following article was originallyrise of the 2020 pandemic, and itsis that youth in larger cities were published in Municipal World magazinecontinuation into 2021, the importancegoing outside less, and almost half in May 2021 and may reference outdatedof these spaces has become front andof youth across Canada reported not COVID-19 information. Cynthias bio hascentre. going outside enough and lacking a been updated to reflect her new role withconnection with nature. 2This is an the City of Hamilton. GREEN SPACE IS upsetting conclusion, considering W hen this pandemic is allNATURES MEDICINE that stress levels are likely higher The mental health benefits of beingbecause of worry about the pandemic, over, lets all decide not tooutside in parks and open spaces hasdisruption in routines and concerns forget what got us throughbeen studied for years. The scientific this distressing time. evidence is so clear that, in Vancouveraround the more sedentary lifestyles.Lets face it2020 was a difficult yearfor example, there is now a trend toThe studys recommendations for everyone. And 2021 has startedgive prescriptions for outdoor time.providea checklist for municipalities to with much of Canada in lockdown.This is important in the context of astrive for in providing people with more What has made this year tolerable fordiscussion about COVID-19. If timeopportunities to spend time outdoors, me was spending more time with myspent outdoors has been documentedincluding:kids than typical because we were allto help with mental health, and weplay equipment; home together, working and learning.know that stress is high across To make this time interesting and fun,Canada with new lockdowns in place,public spaces; and we often escaped to the backyard,the role of parks to help Canadianswalkable communities. tookwalks, rode bikes on trails andcope is critical.spent quality time outdoors. To contribute to this conversation,1Maximum City (June 2020), COVID-19: Child andCertainly, many reading this articleconsider a recentstudy thatYouth Well-Being Study: Canada Phase One Report. probably experienced the outdoorssurveyedyouth across Canada to(Municipal World Insider and Executive Members in this way. Professionals have beenunderstand the effects of COVID-19can download this study in the research library on municipalworld.com. Access it from inside your touting the benefits of parklandon their self-reported health andmembership area! Just search for well-being.)and nature for years, but with thewellness. 1 Noted in the findings2 Ibid, p. 1014 2021/22 OALA SOURCE GUIDE'