Parks, paths and green spaces

How do parks and green spaces help people stay active?

Parks and green spaces help most when they are close to home, feel safe and give you a reason to go. People who live near or are surrounded by green space tend to be more active¹. That is a link, not proof of cause, and adding green space to an area may not raise activity by itself¹.

A change people hear about. A renovation or new path that is not matched by promotion or programmes was largely ineffective³. Safe access to parks, playgrounds, park renovation or redesign, and park prescriptions had the strongest support for getting people into parks and moving there⁶.

Close enough to walk. For older adults, the acceptable maximum walking distance to parks, green spaces or plazas was about 1–1.3 km, and highly accessible green space within a 1 km walk is recommended⁴. Exact distances vary, so treat about 1 km as a guide, not a rule.

Somewhere that feels safe. Feeling safe affects how much people walk, so choose well-kept routes and daylight walking if that helps you feel more comfortable⁴.

A prescription from your care team. In a park prescription, a healthcare provider prescribes park-based activity for inactive patients. These schemes appeared effective at raising knowledge of local parks and park use⁶. If you are under a healthcare provider, ask whether they know of local park-based activity schemes.

Groups and classes. Organised park classes raised park use and activity during class time, but largely not at other times⁷. If you join one, plan some short walks of your own too.

Start with a short walk and build up gradually. Short bouts of activity still count.

When to check with a health professional

If you're starting exercise after a long break, it's always a good idea to see your doctor first. For an injury or a health condition, see a health professional, such as your doctor or a physio. If you live with a long-term condition such as diabetes, talk with a doctor or other health professional about the type and amount of activity that suits you.

Walk at a pace where you can still talk. If you can't say more than a few words without pausing for breath, you're working at a vigorous level, so slow down⁸.

If you feel unwell, sick, dizzy or very breathless during or after a walk and it has settled, see a doctor soon. Soreness a day or two after activity is normal. A sore muscle or joint is a reason to ease off, and to see a doctor or other health professional if it persists or gets worse.

Call your local emergency number for chest pain or pressure (or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, especially with sweating or feeling sick), severe breathlessness, fainting or collapse, signs of a stroke, a serious injury, or someone who isn't safe.