In Praise Of The Health Benefits Of Trails and Recreational Paths

A release from The Friends of the Lynnfield Rail Trail:

The proposed Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail will be a great asset to our community. As a greenway/linear park/multi-seasonal trail it will provide valuable health and wellness benefits to all ages and abilities. It has been shown that the cost of these types of trails are more than offset through the health benefits and reduced healthcare costs for residents. Good health is everyone's major source of wealth.

From a health and wellness perspective, the following have been documented as benefits of trails:

• Easy access to trails enables citizens to improve their lifestyle and mitigate a wide range of
health problems. An increase in chronic diseases caused by an aging population as well
as an inactive lifestyle across all age groups has developed to a national public health crisis as
well as a burden to the individual.
• In addition, mental health benefits have been widely documented, especially in the young. As
little as five minutes of exercise in a "green space" such as a park can boost mental health. A
bigger effect was seen with exercise in an area that also contained water - such as a lake or
river.
• This finding supports research in the social sciences, which proposes that strong relationships
with other people contribute to positive health outcomes. Trails and parks contribute to health
in multiple ways. Trail experiences play a role in combating stress and building strong
community relationships as it promotes closeness of our ties to our neighbors and strengthens
our personal relationships.
• Proximity and easy access is essential to the utilization of trails. In a well-designed community,
homes, parks, stores, and schools are connected by safe walking and biking routes. Having
access to trails encourages residents to participate in physical activity and do so more often. The
closer residents live to a trail, the more likely they are to walk or bike to places, and use it for
exercise.
• We need to recognize the importance of outdoor exercise and provide access to residents:

Looking at data from 833 people and 11 different trials, researchers found that exercising outside melted away levels of tension, anger and depression.

In addition, outdoor exercise promotes higher Vitamin D levels and simply allows us to connect with
nature, making it more enjoyable and increasing the chance that we continue doing it. In a West Virginia study, 60 percent of trail users report they exercise more regularly since they began using trails, and 47 percent of trail users report getting their recommended physical activity through trail use alone. Trails in Missouri increase exercise particularly among people most at risk of inactivity. In the United Kingdom, analysis of 10 different studies found significant improvements in self-esteem and mood after participants exercised outside in urban parks, farmland, forests, waterside, and wilderness.

 Several communities and states have measured the savings in health care costs due to residents’ exercise on trails, and compared these benefits to the costs of building the trails. Although it can be challenging to isolate physical activity associated only with trails, researchers have found the benefits from reduced health care costs far outweigh the cost of trail construction.

In conclusion, the health benefits of trails have been demonstrated. It has also shown that they support
not only physical but also mental health and the social wellbeing of a community. Once provided, they
will be used by local residents who will appreciate the positive impact on their physical and social lives.