I found this article the other day from Philadelphia:

People who have access to parks and green spaces are more likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity. Increased vegetation has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Trees also help reduce heat-related health risk by providing shade in urban landscapes.

Children who play in green outdoor spaces exhibit reduced symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. People who live near trees have improved sleep. And people who feel more connected to nature report improved well-being.

The Environmental Protection Agency also reports that urban forests are responsible for removing approximately 45 million tons of carbon dioxide – a culprit in global warming – each year.

American Forests, a national conservation organization, recently identified Philadelphia as one of the major American cities that could attain improved health and environmental benefits from more urban forest. 

I could see more green in a lot of our cities. It’s interesting to see how weeds and pioneer species manage to find their way into the cracks and crevices and do their best to return cities to forest. I like the idea of adding green spaces.

On the downside, forest areas around here often end up as homeless encampments, with trash and rotten clothing and cigarette butts scattered around.

We want to return to Eden, but when we find it (or try to plant it) someone usually messes it up. Our cities are not what they were a hundred years ago when we lived in a high-trust society.