By: Charlie Beelaert

Fort Collins Colo. – Since I was a kid, I have always utilized my city’s public parks and open space to enjoy nature or recreate. These amenities are crucial, as they increase people’s happiness and allow them a space to escape the hustling urban setting. As demonstrated in the city of Fort Collins, improvements to these Urban Greenspaces (UGS) are crucial to making cities a more happy and equitable space for everyone, no matter someone’s background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic situation. 

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Many people who live in an urban setting have to be able to afford it, but as Charles Montgomery highlights in Happy City, “Self-reported happiness correlates with a lot of things that money cannot buy” (Montgomery 35). A public greenspace can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter their socio-economic circumstance or financial background. 

In a study released by The City of Fort Collins’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office (in the shadow of George Floyd’s murder in 2021), 114 aspects of life were surveyed among the city’s population, finding inequitable results in almost all of them. A major finding was how “disparities were also found by income and neighborhood for sidewalk conditions and parks and recreation, respectively” (Fort Collins Equity Indicators 117). Since releasing these findings, the city’s office implemented concrete steps to promote more equitable access to community parks and UGS. 

As highlighted in the city’s subsequent “Final Equity Plan”, the city is working towards an “approach to accessibility that examines current practices and aims at increasing and refining aspects such as language in contracts…parks and recreation amenities…” (Equity and Inclusion Plan 14). By posing this challenge, Fort Collins has acknowledged that there is a need to improve UGS, and that these environments are key to the happiness of residents.

Ultimately, studies implemented by cities are important because they highlight these disparities/inequities, finding systematic challenges that require addressing. At the end of the day, change starts with one person, and that could create a ripple effect that can affect millions. Now, the greenspace in Fort Collins is enjoyed by all, getting so close to being a model for future development and equitable living.