The Perks of Parks

            As of 2011, there were more urban households with dogs than with children. The majority of dog owners feel just as strongly about achieving the happiness of their canines as parents do about pleasing their children. Hence, the United States has seen a major surge in the number of urban dog parks popping up in large cities. Portland, Oregon tops the charts, with 5.7 dog parks per 100,000 residents. It is followed closely by Norfolk, Virginia, which tallies 5.1 dog parks per 100,000 residents (Nasser). Not only do these canine playgrounds increase the social interactions between dogs, but they also forge strong ties between humans with similar interests.

Naturally, when a dog owner takes their canine to a community park surrounded by other dog owners, conversations will ensue and friends will be made. These social ties increase the shared sense of community and goodwill in cities, thus dismantling the individualism and rush often found in large urban areas. The great enthusiasm for urban dog parks picking up in many cities across the US also promotes greenery and foliage in congested cities. It offers a chance for residents to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature, while simultaneously allowing their deserving canines to stretch their legs. If this excitement for dog park continues to grow in the US, the sustainability benefits for cities will be boundless.

Works Cited

Nasser, Haya E. "Fastest-growing urban parks are for the dogs." USA Today: News. USA Today, 8 Dec. 2011. Web. 4 Dec. 2014. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-07/dog-parks/51715340/1>.

The Future of Sustainable Foods: Community Gardens

        Growing up in Portland, Oregon with two reformed hippies for parents has its benefits. I was given a Waldorf education, taught that ferries are real, spent many days outside since my parents did not own a TV, and helped tend to my family’s small plot in a community garden. It was this last activity that brought me the most satisfaction and joy. Every Saturday, my parents would pack my two siblings and I into our Subaru Forester, and we would go tend to our small garden. Not only did I learn to plant, harvest, and appreciate what the land has to offer, but I also saw the effect community gardens can have on neighborhood life. 

        Donna Armstrong, a professor of Epidemiology at the University at Albany SUNY in New York City, reports that “gardeners have greater consumption of fresh vegetables compared with non-gardeners, and lower consumption of sweet foods and drinks.” The health benefits of community gardens are undeniable, as they encourage the gardeners to consume their own homegrown produce. This also contributes to financial stability, as Armstrong’s studies show that many gardeners saw “savings of between $50 and $250 per season in food costs.” These savings have a huge impact on the wellbeing of families, especially low to middle-income households. In addition, Armstrong’s study “reported that 5000 [pounds] of vegetables were produced by 37 gardeners and 1000 [pounds] of vegetables were shared with friends and neighbors, local soup kitchens and senior centers.” This sharing of produce not only builds valuable relationships between community members, but also promotes the health and wellness of more than just the gardeners themselves. 

        When individuals provide for themselves and for those around them, the self-sustainability of entire communities is achieved. Considering the limited resources that control our access to food and the rate at which we extract these resources, it is of utmost importance that we begin consuming local and sustainable foods. Community gardens, in addition to serving as great community builders, may just be the future of sustainable foods around the world.

Works Cited

Armstrong, Donna. "A survey of community gardens in upstate New York: Implications for health promotion and community development." Science Direct. Elsevier B.V., 1 Dec. 2000. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829200000137>.