In many cases one sees people been called upon to volunteer in planting trees in various places. One may volunteer without even been called upon since there are various benefits associated with tree planting. Ever since man set foot on earth, the environment has never been the same again. It is worse if one considers the advancing technology and the human population that is rendering more harm in the environment. Many may not understand in details the benefits of tree either in the community park or anywhere else. This paper analyzes how volunteering to plant trees in a community park and the opinions held towards the act of planning trees in the parks.
According to Recreational and park administration (n.d), community parks have very important role in the community. First, the community parks have an economic value to the society. Well maintained community parks serve critical roles in the society that have economic values. For example, the American Forest organization asserts that the trees in the community parks, especially in urban centres save up to four hundred billion dollars in the storm water retention facilities. It is evidently clear that the economic values of tree in the community parks serve a role that cannot be ignored. For this reason, therefore, by volunteering to plant more trees in the community parks shall lead to saving more money.
In addition, the storm water that is trapped in the community parks ensures that the community does not suffer from possible floods. The tree traps water giving it enough time to percolate. In the event there is no enough tree cover, the water flows to the surrounding areas causing a lot of damage (“Benefits of tree” n.d). The economic implication of such floods may be too high for the community. Planting more trees would avert such economic misfortunes. The parks also influence location of business. For example, there are businesses set in the adjacent land of community parks that serve the people visiting the parks. The parks also need people to work in them either as environmentalist or landscapers. These people earn a living due to the presence of the community park. Since most of the community parks have trees, the natural appearance is the one that attracts people. In this case, if I volunteer, it is not only good for the environmental benefits, but also it helps some in their lives through employments.
The community parks have a further economic impact on the local economy (BREC, n.d). For, some community parks charge some money as entrance fee. The money revolves within the local area having some great impact to the community. Therefore, bettering the parks through planting trees increases the economic capability of the local people economic wise. There are those who provide services to the visitors or the users of the community parks. Their economic gains are strictly attached at the community park.
There are health benefits that are associated with community parks. The recreation facilities found in the community parks enable the people to run away from the ills of congested estates and urban centres. Some go to exercise in the community parks. The centre for disease control noted that active people remain healthy if at least one exercising three times a week (“Recreation and park administration,” n.d). The current state affairs in terms of obesity and its associated problems can reduce by people exercising oftenly. For this reason, the community parks shall serve as one of the best places for exercising. Planting tree, therefore, helping in maintaining the community parks and keep them in good condition for longer use by planting tress is beneficial. It has been established by the Penn State University that there is a positive correlation to the reduction of stress, lower blood pressure, and the number of times one visits community parks (“Recreation and park administration,” n.d). The unique environment in the community parks helps rejuvenate the health of the person who visits the parks.
Community parks have a great impact on the water quality in the locality. The tree in the community parks holds water for long enabling it to infiltrate and percolate (Richard J. Dolesh, Monica Hobbs Vinluan, and Michael Phillips, n.d). One the water percolates; the community may drill boreholes and harnesses the ground water for their personal use. The water can also be used in industries and irrigation. Conserving the community park by volunteer planting of trees ensures that the community can access enough water. The water is filtered by the soil and may have no contamination as compared to surface run off.
The tree in the community parks provide clean air that help in maintaining the good health of the people. Tree absorbs pollutants from the air such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. Although the tree absorbs these pollutants cleaning the air, it is the absorption of carbon dioxide that may have the largest benefits. It is evidently clear that concentration of carbon dioxide is increasing at a very high rate with the nations getting concerned. The benefits of planting tree are profound in this respect. Tree act as carbon sinks reducing the greenhouse effect of the greenhouse gases (“Benefits of tree,” n.d).
Trees in the community parks are habitats for wild animals. I shall be of benefit by helping the community to conserve biodiversity by increasing the habitat areas of the animals. Humans have an opportunity to interact with nature in the community parks. It also provides outdoor activities for facility recreation. The better the environment is the better the recreation and the improvement in the physical health of the people.
I shall also help in improving the tangible reflection of live in the community. The state of the parks reflects directly the type of life and the living standards in the community. Volunteering to better the parks by planting trees, I shall be helping in attainment of higher living standards. In survey, the community park are used to determine the livability of the regions they are located. It is, therefore, evident the community parks are critical in the living standards of the people.
The community parks are used for public gathering and meetings. When the sun shines, the tree serves as shades to the people. The number of tree determines the shade levels. If trees are planted in a particular order in the parks, the people shall be able to have enough shades during family or public gathering. In addition, there is a positive correlation between delinquent behaviors and crime (“recreation and Park Administration, n.d) and community recreation parks. When the community parks remain in operation, it is evident that the crime levels shall reduce as well as delinquent behaviors. Such happens since the children have an open area where they can play other than remain idle. If I plant trees in the community park, I would have helped in reducing delinquent behavior and crime.
The resident might have a different view to my view of tee planting in the community park. Some may not see the economic connection of tree planting in the community park. Although it may seem obvious to a keen to detail person, some the community members have not appreciated the economic benefits of the community parks. Others do not see the health benefits associated with the community park. To them, it has been there for their use and it has become just another feature. Any changes may not bring a critical change in their lives. Due to this, therefore, the people may not appreciate my efforts of volunteering to plant trees.
However, there are those who acknowledge the benefits of trees, whether in the community park or anywhere else. Such members of the society may encourage me in the process for planting tree in the community park. Some may be se me a good role model to the society and my age mates for doing free community work. The more trees the community park has, the better. However, caution has to be taken at this point to ensure that there are not too many trees such that the community park is totally forested regions without space for walking and exercising. Those who work in the park either as environmentalist or service providers to the visitors support without any reservations the general improvement of the community parks.
In conclusion, volunteering to plant tree in the community park has many benefits. It helps in improving the general health of the people by priding better recreational areas. It also enables percolation of water that makes the residents of the adjacent areas have enough water from the underground reserves. The recreation has great economic values by providing employment both directly or indirectly. The community shall benefits from reducing the rate of carbon dioxide leading to pollution as well cleansing the air they breathe.
Works cited
BREC (n.d). “Providing quality parks and recreational opportunities for the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.” Accessed from http://www.brec.org/index.cfm/page/1808/n/153 on November 17, 2014.
Recreation and park administration. “Importance of Parks and Recreation.” Accessed from http://recreation.eku.edu/importance-parks-and-recreation on November 17, 2014.
Richard J. Dolesh, Monica Hobbs Vinluan, and Michael Phillips. Top 10 Reasons Parks Are Important. From http://www.bridgewaterma.org/government/depts/recreation/pdf%5CTop10- ReasonsParks.pdf on November 17, 2014
“Benefits of tree.” Accessed from http://www.arborday.org/Trees/benefits.cfm on November 17, 2014.
