Participants are being sought for a new Western University-led study into the health benefits of parks in Canada and the barriers that prevent people from enjoying them.
Dubbed the ‘ParkSeek’ project, the study will involve researchers from Western, Wilfrid Laurier University, government agencies, community groups, and industry. The team will be working to quantify the geographic accessibility to parks and protected areas across the country, how visitors feel when in these spaces, and uncover any policies at all levels of government that may make visiting harder.
“We have built a cross-sectoral collaboration that involves academics from universities coast to coast to coast, all levels of government, non-profits, community groups, and industry that will have meaningful impacts on understanding and communicating the value of parks, protected areas and recreational facilities for health and well-being,” said study co-lead Jason Gilliland, director of Western’s Human Environments Analysis Lab.
The team will focus its effort on 12 locations throughout Canada. They include London, Goderich, North Vancouver and Witset, B.C., Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, Sask., Winnipeg, Man., Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ont., Montreal, Que., Alma & Sackville, N.B., and Halifax, N.S.
People interested in participating in the study can take a park visitor survey that asks how often you visit and what you think of area parks. Through an app, those visiting the green spaces will also be able to give feedback on their experience in real-time.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for all, but perhaps one shining light in all this is that it has revealed just how important nature is to human health and well-being. Millions of Canadians have flocked to parks for physical, mental and emotional well-being throughout the pandemic,” said study-co-lead Chris Lemieux, John McMurry research chair in environmental geography at Wilfrid Laurier University. “The key challenge will be to find ways to maintain or even increase this engagement, and work to eliminate barriers so that all Canadians can access the benefits that nature provides.”
The study is supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Data generated from it could be used to develop new tools, technologies, and approaches to improve the well-being of Canadians.
The study officially launches later this year. Anyone interested in participating can sign up through the ParkSeek website.
