Green Space and Mental Health: Urban Parks and Well-Being
This paper examines the relationship between urban green space and mental health, drawing on empirical studies that demonstrate how access to nature reduces stress and improves psychological well-being. Using Cincinnati, Ohio as a case study, the paper evaluates the city's current park coverage, highlights disparities in park access across neighborhoods, and predicts how green space availability — or its absence — affects the mental health of residents. The paper also considers special populations, including individuals with Alzheimer's disease and children with attention deficit disorder, and argues that equitable distribution of green space across socioeconomic communities is essential to promoting citywide mental health outcomes.
- Introduction: Measuring Mental Health and Green Space: Research linking nature exposure to mental health
- Green Space in Cincinnati: Cincinnati's park coverage and recent trends
- Predicting the Effect of Green Space on Mental Health: Projected mental health effects of current park access
- Green Space, Special Populations, and Equity: Benefits for Alzheimer's patients, children with ADD
- Conclusion: Spreading the Green: Equity-focused recommendations for park expansion
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What makes this paper effective
- Grounds abstract claims in specific empirical studies (Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010; Fjeld et al., 1998) before moving to a local case study, creating a logical progression from evidence to application.
- Uses a real city as a concrete example, giving the argument specificity and making the discussion of disparities in park access tangible and persuasive.
- Addresses equity explicitly by noting that poorer neighborhoods are underserved by green space, adding a social justice dimension that strengthens the paper's overall argument.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied research synthesis: it draws on peer-reviewed findings and translates them into a local policy context. Rather than merely summarizing studies, it uses them as a framework to evaluate real-world conditions and make evidence-based recommendations — a skill central to undergraduate-level applied social science writing.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a review of two supporting studies establishing the green space–mental health link, then transitions to a factual profile of Cincinnati's park coverage, followed by a sustained analytical section predicting mental health outcomes based on park distribution. It closes with equity-focused recommendations about expanding green space to underserved communities.
Introduction: Measuring Mental Health and Green Space
Grahn and Stigsdotter (2010) sampled 953 randomly selected informants from nine cities in Sweden to respond to a questionnaire. The responses were assessed using factor analysis and regression analyses to measure the impact of green space on mental health. Their study found that environments rich with nature and abundant wildlife help to minimize stress. This finding is supported by Wolf (n.d.), who shows that incorporating green spaces into urban areas can improve the mental health of a community's population.
The study by Fjeld, Veiersted, Sandvik et al. (1998) focused on measuring the neuropsychological symptoms, mucous membrane symptoms, and skin symptoms of participants in an office building before and after foliage plants were introduced. The study found that all measured symptoms were reduced by 23% in total following the introduction of greenery into the office. Their findings demonstrate that green space positively impacts both psychological and physical health.
Green Space in Cincinnati
Cincinnati ranks 10th among the top 100 largest cities in terms of green space. Approximately 14% of the city is classified as park land — well above the national average of 9% of urban space devoted to parks. However, the city has decreased its percentage of park land by over 1% in recent years.
Part of the reason for this decline is urban renewal. New construction is going up across downtown areas as the city works to attract businesses and residents who want to live in the urban core. As a result, green space is diminishing in the very areas where it could have the greatest impact on daily well-being.
Predicting the Effect of Green Space on Mental Health
While Cincinnati already offers considerable green space to its inhabitants, much of it is located on the periphery, and the downtown area could benefit from more greenery. For example, the Fountain Square area in the shopping district could be enhanced with trees to complement the fountain, giving the space a more park-like feel that could alleviate stress for employees and shoppers alike. Such a setting would also offer shoppers a respite from the surrounding high-rises and an opportunity to refresh after a busy day.
One significant concern is that only 70% of Cincinnati's inhabitants live within a half mile of a park — the lowest rate among the top ten ranked cities, according to Park Score (2017). This means that roughly one-third of the city's population does not have easy access to parks, which may translate into poorer mental health outcomes for those residents compared to the two-thirds who do.
Additionally, there is insufficient park space in the business district. Workers in this area lack easy access to restorative natural environments where they can recharge and revitalize. Natural settings have been shown to reduce stress, and in high-pressure occupational environments, access to park space can help workers remain calm and maintain a positive outlook.
Overall, the green space that is available will have a positive effect on the city's population. Residents are able to make social connections and engage in physical activity across a range of venues — including roller skating, rollerblading, basketball, tennis, swimming, volleyball, baseball, hiking, biking, and jogging along park trails. The breadth of parks available in Cincinnati supports an active, socially connected lifestyle that benefits mental health.
Conclusion: Spreading the Green
However, the city could improve its current green space offerings by adding parks to urban areas with dense populations and underserved communities that currently lack access. Poorer neighborhoods need revitalization too, and parks can meaningfully improve community mental health. Children in these neighborhoods need outdoor green spaces to play and develop skills; without parks, the city risks neglecting these communities and limiting access to green space primarily to upper-income areas.
Since not everyone is able to travel significant distances to reach a park, the city should prioritize adding green space to densely populated regions that currently have none. Spreading green space more equitably across the city will help promote the healthy mental development and well-being of all residents — not just those fortunate enough to live near existing parks.
References
Fjeld, T., B. Veiersted, L. Sandvik, G. Riise, and F. Levy. 1998. The Effect of Indoor Foliage Plants on Health and Discomfort Symptoms Among Office Workers. Indoor and Built Environment 7(4), 204.
Grahn, P., and U.K. Stigsdotter. 2010. The Relation Between Perceived Sensory Dimensions of Urban Green Space and Stress Restoration. Landscape and Urban Planning, 94(3–4), 264–275.
Park Score. (2017). Rankings. Retrieved from http://parkscore.tpl.org/historic/2016_ParkScoreRank.pdf
Wolf, K. (n.d.). Mental Health & Function. Retrieved October 21, 2017, from https://depts.washington.edu/hhwb/Thm_Mental.html
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