Among the many influences that contribute to the quality of life in a community, I can think of two where their impact is often taken for granted, underappreciated or not fully understood.
This may be particularly true in smaller communities where options for public engagement in ways that better the mind, as well as the body, may be few and far between. That is where the programs and services available through the many parks and recreation departments and public libraries around the country play a significant role in improving people’s lives.
The health benefits derived from being active and engaged are fairly obvious.
They’ve been part of the public’s consciousness and community planning since the days of Andrew Carnegie. Yet how many of us have ever stopped to consider all the ways parks, recreation, and public libraries benefit us and our community?
A study conducted by Eastern Kentucky University’s Recreation and Parks Administration Program did just that. They cited the Centers for Disease Control and Penn State University in saying that creating, improving, and promoting places to be physically active can improve individual and community health by as much as 25 percent in residents who exercise at least three times per week.
The Penn State study further concluded that by just visiting a park and the length of time there has a significant correlation to reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and increasing perceptions of physical well being.
Parks are also places of social significance, serving as gathering places for families and social groups as well as for individuals of all ages and economic status. Many, although not all, are accessible and amenable to persons of advanced age or disability. Parks have also been cited for lowering crime and vandalism and reducing juvenile delinquency, particularly in local neighborhoods when residents have supported them. Parks too, have an impact on local economies, improving the local tax base and increasing property values simply by their location and what amenities they have to offer. This is particularly important for communities looking to entice new business.
In a number of studies done to determine why businesses might consider relocating to one community over another, many cite parks and recreation as one of the top three reasons. Maybe more than any of the impacts identified above, most people contend that having quality parks and recreation provide a sense of public pride and cohesion to their community and to the neighborhoods fortunate enough to have them.
Equally as significant is the role of the public library in the life of its community. Traditionally, the library was seen as a place that housed a collection of books and made them available to the general public. Today, the modern library has become an integral part of everyday life for many, offering an array of multi-faceted resources and opportunities to connect people to the world and community to one another. They’ve become the gathering place for classes, exhibitions, talks, special events, movies and more. Through a philosophy of continuous education, individuals get the chance to pursue interests or simply learn about something they may have never heard of, in an informal and comfortable setting.
Despite being primarily focused on attracting people into the library, many libraries also try to reach out to the wider community. Through bookmobiles and online services, they make libraries accessible to others who may be isolated, alone, or unable to travel. Their goal is to reach and serve the entire community by ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy the many benefits the library has to offer. Here too, the ability to get together with others is a valuable component of successful community life and a way that has been shown to increase peoples’ confidence and self-esteem.
The findings bear this out. According to a 2013 Pew Research Center survey, Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life.
In fact, some 90% of Americans ages 16 and older said that the closing of their local public library would have an impact on their community, with 63% saying it would have a “major” impact. The survey also cited the overwhelmingly positive feeling they have for libraries as a quiet and safe place to spend time, read, or study; and where librarians are there to help people find information.
What may surprise you from the survey, however, is that while most Americans know where their local library is and take comfort in knowing it’s there, many say they are unfamiliar with all the services their library has to offer. If you’re one of them, it may be high time to take a second look. You may be surprised by what you discover.
Jeff Rubin is an advocate and adviser on community and aging issues, having spent over 20 years as a director and facilitator of community service programs at the local, state and national levels. An advocate for “Age-friendly” and “Livable” communities, Mr. Rubin is currently working to advance these initiatives statewide in Kentucky and invites your comments, involvement, and support. He can be reached at Jeffrubin515@gmail.com.