By: Elena Williams

Fort Collins, Colo.- You don’t realize it throughout your day, but public spaces are a huge part of every single person’s daily routine. The park benches you sit on to drink your coffee, the sidewalks you walk on to work, even public libraries, all these places are available because they are public spaces.

Social Aspect

Public spaces are important because they provide a place where people can gather and foster a sense of community. In a way they act as the building blocks of urban societies. By providing a place for people to gather, they establish culture and create a sense of belonging.

Mental Aspect

Not only do they promote social health by being a magnet towards activities and providing a landing pad for important social interaction, but public spaces also promote both physical and

mental health as well. Urban living is often associated with higher levels of air, noise, and heat pollution. All of which increase the odds of developing common mental health problems like depression and anxiety. As Ugolini states in his article Understanding the Benefits of Urban Green Spaces: “Humans have a positive feeling towards other lifelike features and we continuously seek connections with nature.” When people have access to nature and are able to connect with it, it boosts their serotonin levels making them feel happier and less stressed.

Physical Aspect

Public spaces also provide citizens with a place to be active and get the exercise necessary to live a healthy lifestyle. Thus, by promoting social, physical, and mental health, Urban Green Spaces greatly improve people’s quality of life, therefore increasing their happiness.

Fort Collins Parks

Fort Collins has done an excellent job of enforcing accessibility to Urban Outdoor Spaces for its citizens. Back in 2008 the city enforced and adopted a Parks and Recreation Policy Plan which sought to build accessible parks to those who are a part of the community. Previous mayor Wade Troxell even said in his statement about the plan that “equity is a theme interwoven throughout the master plan to ensure all community members benefit from the richness of parks and recreation”. Thus, illustrating how Fort Collins is at the forefront of prioritizing urban happiness to its residents.