Neighbourhood foot paths as parks
FootParks
by Angela Wright, Principal Advisor Open Space Planning, Redland City Council, Queensland
All about FootParks
Urban Parkland advocates worldwide struggle to obtain new green space for ever increasing communities, arguing for a precious parcel here and an irreplaceable hectare there.
Redland City Council is already a leader in acquiring urban parkland and conservation areas for environmental protection. FootParks are a new concept in urban neighbourhood recreation in a diminishing landscape. FootParks already exist right outside the front door.
FootParks have a powerful capacity to deliver sustainable solutions to address theorised issues
- Providing supportive environments for physical activity,
- Responsible urban design,
- Providing for healthy lifestyles and improvements in societal health,
- Building strong neighbourhoods and reducing social isolation,
- Increasing longevity of seniors in their own homes, accessible path systems for mobility scooters and rehabilitation
- Increasing and improving service standards for provision of POS
- Designing environments for crime prevention,
- Creating child-friendly cities,
- Providing solutions to reducing the symptoms of nature deficit disorder,
- Building accessible neighbourhoods for all,
- Delivering and linking safe off road corridors for people and fauna,
- Aiding in reducing carbon emissions and reducing car usage.
- Providing neighbourhood destinations
- Increasing community recreation opportunities by providing them at people’s foot doors
- Providing areas for water sensitive urban design projects
- Bringing community gardening into every street
FootParks must be well designed, constructed, environmentally sustainable and in upkeep and be available to all. importantly, linkages between areas must be dramatically improved to enhance safety and connectivity.
- FootParks will make up shortfalls in local public open space if they are treated and counted as viable linear parks.
- FootParks will be multi-purpose and vary in function depending on size, shape, width, slope, and location.
- FootParks will be nature refuges for urban dwellers.
- FootParks will provide the spaces for a range of fun and healthy activities.
Draw hopscotch, plant a garden,hang a swing, provide a seat and they will come!
FootParks will provide recreation opportunities for activities such as:
• Sitting, watching, spectating, reading, chatting, socializing
• Interaction with urban wildlife – birds, butterflies, possums, frogs
• Eating, gardening, relaxing, painting
• Walking, cycling, jogging, exercise stations, safe off road cycling for children in particular, informal play, hopscotch, elastics, skipping
• Dog exercising and socialising
They can provide space for:
• Shade provision for activities, cars, houses,
• Community and public art,
• Wildlife habitat – boxes, ponds, trees, poles, food, nesting.