Green spaces were never a concept I had ever truly considered until learning about them. It was an interesting realization, actually giving thought to these spaces I had so often been around but never acknowledged. Once I was able to reflect on the idea of green spaces, I began to appreciate them and the positive impact they have had on me. As someone who has always preferred natural spaces, the integration of nature into urban and other developed spaces greatly enhances my experiences. After this realization I began to be more conscious and aware of green spaces, like parks and gardens. I find that in addition to the aesthetic beauty of a place, green spaces tend to make me feel more grounded and connected to the world around me. I can imagine that this is a common phenomenon, many people don’t ever give any substantial thought to the green spaces they enjoy but are so positively impacted by them.
There is a neighborhood by my house, in North Carolina, I like to walk through often. There is one part of this walk that always sticks out as my favorite; the neighborhood garden and adjacent park. While it is a suburban and primarily paved neighborhood, the park with a small lake in the middle makes the area so much more naturally beautiful. I love to look at how the crops are doing and how much they have grown. I also always find myself being inspired to start gardening. These green spaces are something so simple, like walking through a neighborhood, so much more fulfilling, inspiring, and enjoyable. I always see people playing in the park, fishing in the lake, and tending to the garden. It is clear that they spark a real sense of community. Not only do green spaces like this enhance beauty and draw people to areas, they inspire people to enjoy nature and foster community.
