Bringing the Neighborhood Together
One Park at a Time
At G&G Builders, we care about the impact that our work has on our community. We are lucky to call the Bay Area home, and we are honored to work on projects that actively benefit our cities.
Our latest community project was near to our hearts. We completed a new playground at Tawny Park in Pleasanton, California, a park that Gerard grew up going to, playing baseball and making lifelong friends. An inclusive area for neighborhood families, Tawny is just one example of the many benefits of communal outdoor spaces. Here are four ways public parks and playgrounds contribute to a town’s well-being.
Connects the Community
Relaxed and accessible gathering places, parks connect the community. These spaces help welcome new residents into the area and establish a sense of belonging. Children have the opportunity to interact with other children from diverse backgrounds, while parents can easily meet one another and form new friendships. Additionally, many parks are used for neighborhood events such as farmers' markets, pickup sports tournaments, and art shows, further developing community culture.
Encourages Mental Wellbeing
By creating a green space within a town or city, a public park can benefit the environment while also improving the mental health of nearby residents. Countless studies show that time in nature is an effective mood-booster that can increase happiness and lower anxiety. Even just a few minutes of reading in parks can enhance a person’s sense of wellness, strengthen their immune system, and lower cortisol levels.
Promotes Physical Activity
Whether swinging, climbing across monkey bars, or playing hide and seek, playgrounds promote physical activity. Many children grow up in apartments with limited space, and a nearby park offers an inclusive outdoor area in which children can run and be active. This benefits cardiovascular health and promotes balance, hand-eye coordination, and agility. Municipal playgrounds also encourage adults to be active as they play games with their children, push their toddlers on the swings, or use provided fitness equipment.
Improves the Local Economy
Lastly, parks benefit the local economy as recreational amenities can increase the property value of surrounding homes by 20%. Additionally, the economic impact that large tournaments, competitions and special events hosted in public parks bring to the local economy can offset park maintenance operating budgets which are normally thought of as totally subsidized high-cost centers.
We are proud to work on projects that extend beyond ourselves, and we strive to benefit our local communities in the way we know best – just keep on building.
Contact us if you’re interested in working with G&G Builders on a new project. No matter how big or small, we’d love to play a part in providing for your neighborhood.