Ruth Kimbrough-Bent
Parks are a great place to meet people, get exercise, relieve stress and enjoy nature. But they also provide a tremendous economic boost to the community by increasing property values, creating opportunities for small businesses to thrive and adding to the overall quality of life.
A mother reports for boot camp, while a father and his two daughters play catch in the surf. Kites surge and swoop nearby to the delight of onlookers. A peloton whizzes down Collins Avenue on electric bicycles. In the dunes, some dogs frolic while others are focused. These are scenes from Haulover Beach and Park, and it’s buzzing with activity—economic activity.
That boot camp? It’s brought to you by Oceanfront Fitness. Those colorful kites? You can rent them from Skyward Kites. And the electric bikes? They’re also rentals—from Electribike Miami. Oh, and the dogs? Rocco’s Pack Pet Services’ training will turn them into top dogs in just a few lessons.
Kenia Coley couldn’t imagine life without parks. As a child, her father was big on going to Miami-Dade County parks. “These were the highlights,” Coley reminisces. “We didn’t travel much, so going to neighborhood parks was it.” Not only did her family visit the ones close to the neighborhood like Tropical Park or Crandon Park, they’d also hit parks in neighborhoods all over—Hialeah, Miami Beach. You name the park, chances are Coley has been there.
Whether it’s to go bike riding, for a weekly play date or to meet up with her running club, nowadays, you’re likely to see Coley at a park several times a week. “There are three parks within a half-mile of my home,” says Coley, who lives in Coconut Grove. As mother to Madison, 6 and Brady, age 3, there’s always a reason to go to the park.
As the wife of a college football coach, Coley has lived in quite a few cities—Baton Rouge, Pembroke Pines and Tallahassee, to name a few. Parks weren’t always within easy reach. But since coming back in 2012, the Coleys have had their roots firmly planted in Miami-Dade. “There’s nothing that would make us want to move from where we are.”
When the Coleys purchased their home, factors like walkability, availability of parks and other neighborhood amenities factored heavily in their decision-making process. And if the property values in the upscale Coconut Grove area are any indication, that was smart thinking.
A 2003 Texas A&M University study revealed that properties located near a park can enjoy 20 percent higher property values—and the closer, the better. For most Americans, a primary residence represents the biggest slice of their net worth. So, when communities invest in parks, they’re also contributing to household wealth. What’s more, higher property values don’t hurt tax revenues either, which can be used to enhance community services.
Now, if you think quality of life issues are only important to homeowners, think again. The business community values quality of life too.
The Beacon Council works with government to attract industries to Miami-Dade County. It touts our area’s quality of life attributes—including year-round outdoor recreational activities—as one of the top 10 reasons to do business here. Lately, business is looking up. Nonfarm job growth is up according to Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources’ most recent Labor Market report.
Parks aren’t just part of the equation for our economic health. They contribute to our physical wellbeing too. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that the indirect costs of poor health including missed workdays—and missed work—can actually be higher than direct costs. Furthermore, obesity and related chronic diseases can cost employers up to $93 billion per year in health insurance claims. So sick workers can actually weaken the economy.
The annual American College of Sports Medicine recommends integrating physical activity into the daily lives of its citizens. It ranked the fitness status of the 50 largest metros in their 2014 American Fitness Index (AFI) by taking into consideration factors like park acreage, walkability and recreational facilities, among other factors. Interestingly, 8 out of the AFI top 10 cities also ranked in the top 10 of the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore index. Our metro, which consists of both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, comes in at No. 26.
The team at Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces sees that link, and it’s the reason why they developed the Miami-Dade Parks & Open Spaces Master Plan. The document lays out a 50-year, unifying vision for a livable, sustainable Miami-Dade County that includes 12,000 acres of parkland.
“One of the goals of the master plan is to make it possible for residents to walk to a neighborhood park within ten minutes,” says Jack Kardys, director of the County’s Parks Department. “Connectivity is also important. As our community’s population grows, and congestion becomes an issue, we’re taking steps so that “park deserts” don’t happen here.”
The plan encompasses not just parks, but also public spaces, natural areas, cultural areas, greenways, water trails and even streets. So, if you’re looking for something of value at your neighborhood park, you don’t need to bring one of those metal detectors. The real value is all around, and there’s still more to come.
Learn more about the value Miami-Dade County Parks offer at the Miami-Dade Parks Foundation website