Letter To The Editor: Mayor Barnett Applauded For Park Walk

(The following content was submitted as a Letter to the Editor. It has not been edited and is the work of its authors. It does not reflect the opinion of Patch or its editors.)

We applaud Mayor Barnett and the Rochester Hills Parks Department for endorsing the 10-minute walk to a park campaign led by The Trust for Public Land, National Recreation and Park Association, and Urban Land Institute. The campaign is working with mayors across the country to advance park access and quality, with the bold goal of putting a high-quality park or open space within a 10-minute walk of every American.

The value of parks and green spaces is well known and well-researched, including health, economic, community-building, and environmental benefits. But in the United States, one in three Americans (approximately 100 million people), do not have a park within a 10-minute walk of home. This is why we have a launched this ambitious campaign—because we believe that parks are anchors of healthy, livable communities, and should be available to everyone—no matter where they live.

We are incredibly proud that Mayor Barnett has joined more than 140 mayors— from small towns and big cities across America, and from both parties—who support the 10-minute-walk campaign. Together, we will ensure that every person in every neighborhood in America has a quality park or green space close to home.

Will Rogers, CEO, The Trust for Public Land
Barbara Tullipane, CEO, National Recreation and Parks Association
Ralph Boyd, CEO, ULI Americas