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Chapter Two: Overview of the Regional Parks System and the 2040
<br />Regional Parks Policy Plan
<br />Introduction
<br />The benefits of parks have been extensively documented'. Parks and open green space positively
<br />contribute to human health and well-being. Benefits to physical well-being include increased physical
<br />activity, reduced risk of various chronic illnesses, as well as obesity. Benefits to psychological well-
<br />being include stress reduction, attention restoration, and improved cognitive functioning. Social well-
<br />being benefits include increased social capital, family bonding, and social integration. Parks and open
<br />green space also contribute many environmental benefits including biodiversity conservation, air and
<br />water purification, erosion control, climate regulation, carbon dioxide sequestration, among other
<br />ecosystem services.2
<br />Benefits afforded by the Regional Parks System, such those illustrated above, help to keep our region
<br />at the top of national livability rankings. The Twin Cities area's 62 regional parks, park reserves, and
<br />special recreation features, plus more than 340 miles of regional trails, showcase the unique
<br />landscapes of the region and provide year-round recreation. Our residents have consistently singled
<br />out the region's parks, trails and natural environment as the most attractive feature of the region.'
<br />Drawing over 47 million annual visits in 2013, the Regional Parks System provides access to natural
<br />space that contributes to physical and emotional well-being. Many of our region's most well-known and
<br />iconic sites are part of the Regional Parks System - the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Como Zoo and
<br />Conservatory, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Bunker Hills Regional Park, Elm Creek Park Reserve, and
<br />Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
<br />The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan advances the Thrive MSP 2040 outcomes of Stewardship,
<br />Prosperity, Equity, Livability, and Sustainability by striving to:
<br />• Expand the Regional Parks System to conserve, maintain, and connect natural resources
<br />identified as being of high quality or having regional importance, as identified in the 2040
<br />Regional Parks Policy Plan
<br />• Provide a comprehensive regional park and trail system that preserves high -quality natural
<br />resources, increases climate resiliency, fosters healthy outcomes, connects communities, and
<br />enhances quality of life in the region
<br />• Promote expanded multimodal access to regional parks, regional trails, and the transit network,
<br />where appropriate
<br />Dinnie, E., Brown, K.M., Morris, S. (2013). Negotiating the social well-being benefits of urban green space.
<br />Landscape and Urban Planning, 112, 1-9.
<br />Wolch, J.R., Byrne, J., & Newell, J.P. (2014). Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The
<br />challenge of making cities 'just green enough'. Landscape and Urban Planning, 125, 234-244.
<br />2 Gomez-Baggethun, E. & Gren, A. (2013). Urban ecosystem services. In T. Elmqvist et al. (eds.), Urbanization,
<br />Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities: A Global Assessment, pp. 175-251.
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