10-Minute Walk facts for kids
The 10-Minute Walk is an exciting idea that wants to make sure everyone in the United States lives close to a great park or green space. Imagine being able to walk to a park in just ten minutes from your home! This idea is also called the 10-Minute Walk to a Park.
This goal started as a "grassroots" movement, which means it grew from regular people working together to make a change. In 2017, city leaders (called mayors) from all over the U.S. agreed to this goal at their big meeting, the United States Conference of Mayors. They decided it's a city's job to help create more parks and green spaces for everyone.
Many groups that help communities, like The Trust for Public Land, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the Urban Land Institute, support this idea. A ten-minute walk is usually about half a mile. This is the same distance that groups like the National Park Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention use when they talk about how parks can help people stay healthy.
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Why Parks Are Important
City parks are becoming super important for solving many challenges that cities face. The 10-Minute Walk idea wants to bring lots of good things to people through these parks.
Benefits for People
- Better Health: Parks give you a place to be active, which is great for your body. Studies show that even just walking can help older adults live longer and healthier lives.
- Stronger Minds: Being close to nature and green spaces can help your mental health, making you feel calmer and happier.
- Community Fun: Parks are places where neighbors can meet, play, and build a stronger community together.
Benefits for Cities
- Neighborhood Boost: When a city adds a new park, it can make the whole neighborhood a better place to live.
- Cleaner Environment: Green spaces help the environment by providing fresh air and places for plants and animals.
Cities Taking Action
More than 200 mayors from cities big and small across the United States have promised to work towards the 10-Minute Walk goal. This includes the mayors of the four largest cities in the U.S.: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.
San Francisco Leads the Way
San Francisco was the very first city in the United States to achieve this amazing goal! Now, every resident in San Francisco lives within a ten-minute walk of a park. This shows that the 10-Minute Walk is a goal that cities can really reach.
