Our phones and computers give us access to the world at our fingertips. Being able to connect to the internet is no longer a perk but an essential need, so much so we oftentimes expect it to be free. Our internet-connected devices keep us close to colleagues, friends, and loved ones. And they keep us informed about the past, present, and future. A strong internet connection is necessary for accomplishing daily tasks and living a comfortable, modern life.
But does this need for connectivity keep us from enjoying the simple things of life, like taking a stroll in the park. Parks, especially in urban communities, have played an everchanging role in bringing people together to relax, exercise, and connect with nature. But in recent decades, people have shifted towards a more sedentary lifestyle, especially with the growing need to stay connected to the internet. So, to compete with the allure and need for technology, parks are becoming smarter.
What is a smart park?
Smart parks are community parks with connected technology integrated throughout their outdoor space. How does it work? Eco-friendly, solar-powered smart benches with free wifi allow visitors to stay connected and wirelessly charge their devices. Some smart parks even have exercise machines that produce clean energy when used.
How smart are smart parks?
Smart parks have the ability to learn from their visitors through data collection. The data collected tells how many people are visiting the park on any given day. It also tracks how long visitors are staying for, giving the times of when they come and go. With this data, recreation programmers and park managers can improve parks to better serve communities.
With smart park data collection, scheduling park events like festivals, classes, and sporting events becomes easier because programmers can gain better understanding of when people are available and are already likely to come to the park. The parks are also able to record which spots of the parks are most visited. This can give insight on things like whether a park should add more swings in the playgrounds or more shelter around the baseball diamond. Outside data, like weather, construction, and holidays, can also be compared with data collected from park-goers to predict park visitation and assist in future planning. Smart parks will become smarter as our needs change and technology evolves.
Why are smart parks important?
There are countless benefits to spending time in nature. For example, time spent in nature can reduce stress, relieve depression and anxiety, improve memory, and increase motivation. Smart parks encourage a healthy, active lifestyle, which has become more important as the modern lifestyle becomes increasingly sedentary. And with the growing desire to maintain a healthy work-life balance, people can seek refuge in smart parks without having to fully disconnect. These parks can also allow workers to work remotely. Instead of going to a coffee shop or a home office, workers can enjoy nature and be productive outdoors. And smart parks have increased safety, with nighttime tail lighting and the ability to stay connected anywhere you go.
