By: Analiese Brown

Fort Collins, Colo.- How do you find happiness? What makes you happy? Finding happiness is a unique experience for each individual, but there are ways to help foster happiness in a city for virtually every individual. One way that has vast impacts and that Fort Collins does well is implementing parks and green spaces.

First, let’s look at the physical and mental benefits of parks and green spaces. Studies show that parks and green spaces have decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as promote more physical activity, which all leads to healthier individuals. Having these needs fulfilled allows individuals to ascend Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Not only are parks and green spaces important for the health of individuals, but for the health of a community as well. Having spaces for people to connect can promote societal capital. Giving individuals and opportunity to connect and a safe place to have recreation can lead to reduced crime rates, development of social skills through play and a safer community.

We can look at how parks and green spaces affect the whole city through the E4 crisis; the success of the city by looking at the economy, environment, equality, and energy impacts. In summary parks and green spaces promote happier communities, which makes people want to live in these communities (economy), allows places to people to walk and bike instead of driving cars (energy), promotes biodiversity and helps lower carbon emissions (environment) and is an equal place for all people to enjoy (equity).

Throughout its whole history, Fort Collins has had great success when it comes to parks and green spaces. From the first parks created by the founding citizens of Fort Collins, to the successes of the Recreation Commission. Now, the city still has thriving parks and green spaces for its citizens.

Today Fort Collins has continued on its past success. In 2017, Fort Collins was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Fort Collins also received its CARPA accreditation in 2019. Fort Collins plans to only grow. A recent master plan released by the city plans to improve and grow the parks and green spaces and create “a holistic, interconnected view of the city’s public spaces”.

Parks and green spaces are a vital part of a city’s health and happiness. It is important for the health of the individual and the community. This is an area that Fort Collins thrives in and plans to continue to in the future.