Kimberly R. Seymour-Brown | A case for development of green spaces for families in Jamaica

The case for increased development and equitable access to green spaces continues to grow globally. The range of benefits of exposure to green and blue spaces is associated with improved physical and mental health.

As Jamaica continues to grapple with the associated costs of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), there is need for continued, holistic public education campaigns that include emphasis on equitable access to community spaces that encourage physical activity through opportunities for exercise, recreation and social cohesion.

My family and I took our children to Devon House last weekend, and we were informed that we could not play with any balls, as per management’s instructions. It was very unfortunate, and brought this issue into sharp focus. The security who relayed the message could not explain why we were not allowed to play with a ball.

We left and went to Hope Gardens where we had a much better experience. Unfortunately, not all families have these options available to them.

On any public holiday, the need for these spaces is evident, as families stand on the sidewalk of Emancipation Park, which is closed on public holidays, or brave the limited space at Devon House, which quickly turns into a multitude of vendors, children and adults.

Children need time outdoors engaged in healthy physical activity, families need time to bond. Jamaica is in urgent need of more parks, cycle trails and low-cost recreational public spaces.

BENEFITS OF GREEN SPACES

The development and maintenance of these spaces have been shown to:

1. Encourage physical activity; which reduces rates of obesity, particularly among children. This can be further enhanced if playground equipment, walking and/or cycling trails are included.

2. Reduce depression through the therapeutic effect of trees, plants and bodies of water. Research has shown that this effect is seen not only in the general population but among senior citizens who are likely to suffer from the ill effects of isolation.

3. The potential for improvement in the mental well-being of users. This potential benefit cannot be overstated for Jamaica, with its ghastly levels of crime which threaten the mental wellbeing of our entire society, the full effects of which are yet to be seen.

4. Improve social cohesion and local social interaction among residents by providing a clean, safe and relaxing space to meet.

5. Provide a space for youth to learn the tenets of social interaction and conflict resolution in a low-stress environment near to home.

6. Improve the environmental quality of an area by providing improved air and water quality, noise absorption, and reduce ‘urban heat island’ effects. This particular benefit may have its greatest potential in inner-city communities, which are typically bereft of trees.

7. Enhance the quality of physical activity. Research has shown that exercising in green spaces is associated with greater levels of mental health than exercising indoors.

The Ministry of Health is to be commended on the Jamaica Moves initiative, which aims to educate Jamaicans on NCDs and the importance of regular physical activity, diet, health screening and a healthier lifestyle.

This is an excellent programme that should be supported and expanded. The expansion should also take into account the need for partnerships with residents, the private sector and international donors for funding to develop green spaces within a defined acceptable distance standard for underserved communities.

This standard in other countries is developed based on local research, which identifies the distance residents feel that they can reasonably walk to access these spaces. This will be important, since access to the space should be relatively easy and low cost, ideally no cost.

As a matter of course, the creation of these spaces is only one aspect, since maintenance will be critical to any real long-term benefit. Collaboration with communities will be critical to gain buy-in, and ownership as well as commitment to finding creative means to maintaining and protecting these spaces from vandalism.

Having worked in communities across Jamaica, there is little doubt that this is possible, and not only possible but sustainable with the right approach and inclusion of key stakeholders. Community development is more than improved physical infrastructure and meetings; at the heart of it is the need for residents to have access to opportunities to improve their lives.

Let us not neglect the importance of these spaces as we work to improve the health of our people, our children, our nation. If Jamaica is to live up to Vision 2030 (place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business), we cannot neglect this critical aspect of development.

- Kimberly R. Seymour-Brown is a project management consultant. Email feedback to kimberlyseymourbrown@gmail.com and columns@gleanerjm.com.