Smart Growth Principle 6
By Paul Coogan, Maggie Friend, and Caroline McKeown

Perched on a bluff, Normal Heights contains both traditional parks and rough canyons that provide wildlife habitat to a variety of birds and mammals. It is common to spot a coyote loping along the street while on a morning jog, a red tail hawk flying overhead, or raccoons raiding a backyard orange tree around dusk.

Not only is observing these fellow inhabitants in our canyon ecosystem entertaining, but green space supported by public areas is important to the health and wellbeing of a community. Access to community open space is associated with lower blood pressure, reduced mortality, and better mental health. There is evidence, as well, that green space supports child mental health. These findings led the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to include providing universal access to safe green and public spaces.

There are economic motivators for building and protecting green space as well. Historically, property values increase with proximity to greenspace, whether scenic or recreational. Of particular interest to Normal Heights are findings by the New York University School of Law regarding community gardens.

“We find that the opening of a community garden has a statistically significant positive impact on residential properties within 1000 feet of the garden, and that the impact increases over time.”
Vicki Been, New York University School of Law 2008

A secondary benefit,more important each year, is how urban forest counteracts heat islands to lower utility costs for residents, thus furthering climate action goals and providing respite during summer heat waves.

Cities can enact Smart Growth policies to “Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas” with a few simple actions.
Build infill development with the goal of preserving large tracts of public greenspace instead of urban sprawl.
Within urban areas, identify community environmental assets such as open lots that can become pocket parks or community gardens.
Encourage permeable surfaces to promote on-site stormwater filtration and native species.
Protect or restore connectivity between natural areas to support fragile ecosystems.
Use development and land conservation agreements to protect critical areas.
Target funding for open space and habitat preservation.
Partner with community land trusts.

Most of these policy decisions require little if any funding while preserving habitat, supporting economic vitality, and improving community health.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11028
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/green-space-may-improve-young-children-s-mental-health
https://furmancenter.org/files/publications/The_Effect_of_Community_Gardens.pdf