Ask any city planner, teacher, ecologist, architect, psychologist, or yogi, and they will tell you of the great benefits provided by natural outdoor space. The amount of leisure, meditation, escape, exercise, play and overall enjoyment that takes place in green spaces, not to mention the educational benefits of experiencing and learning from nature, is an important aspect part of human existence.
In addition to serving as a setting for much activity and behavior that is foreign or seldom found within man-made city blocks, the concept of ‘free,’ or public space is incredibly important to city dwellers. Metropolitan areas serve as a magnet for a great number of inhabitants, requiring things to be built close together, at a high price. Public parks give people a place to go where the space they occupy and utilize is not limited by their ability to afford certain monetary contributions, all the while providing a change in landscape and an escape from the noise, and colors of the city.
From Hyde park, to Regent’s park, the city of London has definitely recognized the benefits of public space, and does a fantastic job of providing wonderful parks throughout the city. These vast sprawls of green, public space give residents the forum to escape and play, and most importantly, feel a sense of ownership in their city.
I specifically wanted to highlight the photos I took during my visit to Richmond Park. With over 2000 acres of trees, creeks, and open space, and filled with a large variety of roaming wildlife, the landscape of Richmond Park provides the perfect example of allowing visitors to have physical space to reflect and recreate within city limits.
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