Photo Credit: Lydia Majo
Public agencies that develop and maintain parks and trails are under constant pressure to spend money wisely. Most industry professionals understand that dollars spent on parks and trails directly and positively impact property values so that, in many cases, they eventually pay for themselves in increased tax revenue. There is also research that shows that parks and trails support the health of community members to the degree that it may be “paid for” by reduced healthcare costs. However, in most cases, those long-term cost benefits do not ease the difficulty of paying for the initial improvements, nor do they translate into more money for maintenance and operations long-term.
Landscape architects are frequently asked to find more cost-effective ways to design and build great parks and trails, and they bring unique ideas and tremendous value to those efforts. Careful planning—including engaging with the public to ensure that what is built is what the community really needs and can be maintained long-term—is certainly key to getting the most bang for the buck. That is particularly important in larger projects where planning and design costs are a fraction of the construction costs. The good news is that there are strategies you may be able to undertake on your own.
1. Put people first. First, think about the people who will use the site and what they want and need. Many communities in the United States are aging, and the question of what seniors want to do in public spaces comes up frequently. Luckily, the answer is that seniors often want what everyone wants—a variety of fun and active experiences that are logical and accessible. Trails and benches (preferably comfortable ones with armrests) are the most commonly requested and least expensive investments you can make to keep everyone happy in a park system. It is also important to realize that one of the activities seniors love to do most in parks is play with grandkids! So, money spent on accessible playgrounds with a few good benches is a great investment for all ages.