Wishing for More Metro Parks

 

"Keep calm and stare at me." - Greenery

Saw a little gem while browsing the Internet the other day. It caught Your City Promdi's attention because it echoes a seldom-spoken wish: that there be more green spaces in the city to provide a place for relief and de-stressing to city-dwellers.

The article, titled "Easing Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park," appeared on the New York Times. It talked about recent studies made by various groups, all indicating that greenery and--even better--walking in green spaces relax the mind and allow restful reflection. Author  Gretchen Reynolds writes:

When the [scientific study] volunteers made their way through the urbanized, busy areas, particularly the heavily trafficked commercial district at the end of their walk, their brain wave patterns consistently showed that they were more aroused and frustrated than when they walked through the parkland, where brain-wave readings became more meditative. 

That only confirms what most people (especially us promdis) know: that being out in green, thriving nature is healthy for the mind, the body, and the spirit. Maybe if this study becomes much more popular, we can move towards greening the metro.

Some shopping centers in Metro Manila, like the Greenbelt Complex and Trinoma, have incorporated little pockets of greeneries in their design. The government and private foundations also maintain some parks, such as the Rizal Park, Quezon City Circle, and the La Mesa Dam. Those green spaces are few and far in between, though. Here's to hoping there will be more in the future--we'll all benefit from it, I'm sure.