In a nation characterized by increasing division, Americans find common ground on two issues. Firstly, politicians from all sides are working hard to increase housing, which inadvertently aids in combating climate change. Secondly, Americans cherish their parks: a recent poll revealed that 88 percent visited a park in the past year. Nearly 90 percent of Kamala Harris voters and 80 percent of Donald Trump voters view these areas as essential infrastructure in their communities.
This shared appreciation should motivate officials to develop more parks. A new report offers another compelling reason for cities: for every dollar invested in parks and recreation, a $3 local economic return is generated annually. “You really do get so much goodness out of them,” noted Will Klein, director of parks research at the Trust for Public Land, which authored the report. “People are healthier, people connect with each other. They drive business activity, especially for small businesses.”
Parks are less about land and more about people. In a world increasingly driven by commerce, they represent one of the few public spaces where people can enjoy themselves without spending money. This makes them a vital “third place” — a gathering spot outside of work and home. Unlike gyms that charge a fee, parks and rec centers are free to use.
The benefits to public health are substantial. The report indicates that the U.S. spends $5.3 trillion annually on health care. Physical inactivity, a significant risk factor for chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, costs over $200 billion a year. “Our polling this year showed that the most popular place in America in 2025 to run around and play and exercise are parks and public spaces, much more popular than private gyms,” Klein said. “That physical activity has real health and economic benefits, about $2,000 per person in health care savings each year.”
Parks also enhance mental health. Being in nature boosts well-being, as research has shown. They encourage social interaction and reduce loneliness, which is a public health crisis of its own. This commerce-free third place is crucial for the elderly, who might have limited incomes and cannot afford regular cafe visits. “There’s movie nights in the park, concerts in the park,” Klein said. “Just playing on the playground, talking to neighbors, having barbecues — all that stuff allows people to afford that higher quality of life.”
Despite existing outside the capitalist hustle, parks offer significant economic benefits. The visitors they draw contribute to nearby businesses by purchasing picnic supplies or shopping at local stores. Iconic parks such as New York’s Central Park, Chicago’s Millennium Park, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, and the newly established Sunset Dunes also attract tourists. The Trust for Public Land asserts that the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, a 420-mile greenway under development, will generate $200 million in economic activity in Sarasota County by drawing bicyclists and other visitors.
Even if you never set foot in a nearby park, owning property close to one brings economic advantages. “People want to live near green spaces,” Klein said. “So you see increased property values, which supports a broader tax base, which can be reinvested into community benefits through the increased property tax revenue.”
The challenge lies in ensuring access for everyone, not just those who can afford premium housing. Though new housing projects might seem to conflict with green spaces, they can coexist. Even in densely packed cities, affordable housing can integrate pocket gardens, which help mitigate rising urban temperatures. Some developers are even creating communities centered around working farms, or agrihoods, which provide the added perk of local food production.
Additional green spaces also help cities cope with unusual climate change effects, such as increased rainfall. City sewer systems, designed for past storm patterns, struggle with today’s increased water volume. Parks mitigate this by absorbing excess water, thereby reducing municipal costs for water management and preventing neighborhood flooding, thus avoiding property damage.
Now more than ever, these modest green spaces offer a multifaceted solution to various issues — enhancing mental health, aiding cities in adapting to climate change, and boosting economic activity. “Parks,” Klein said, “are actually one of these solutions hiding under the feet of all these local leaders.”
