"Contact with nature enriches our psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Parks are places of adventure and challenge,exercise, peace and quiet, recreation, gathering and relaxation. In them, we find a sense of enjoyment, strong community spirit and wonder in nature. Parks offer a range of recreation activities to bring families and friends together in appealing places."

The Value of Parks document, Parks Forum, 2008

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Research from around the world over the last century, shows how critical parks are to the wellbeing of communities at a number of levels. They provide an extensive range of physical and mental health benefits, bring communities of people together, and support a range of science and learning opportunities, particularly for young people.

To read more about the social values of Parks, download The Values of Parks document below: