Introduction

My community and I have benefited from urban greenspaces in various ways. Interfacing with

nature via greenspaces is significant to me personally for several reasons. I chose to write about

urban greenspaces because parks and forests were a very important aspect of my childhood, I

have observed how the disparity of greenspaces between communities affects them, and because

my exposure to greenspaces has provided me with a valuable relationship with the natural world.

Body

Growing up in a rural area, the majority of my childhood activities were dependent on the parks

and forests that were accessible to me. I played soccer in the nearby fields, learned about animals

in the closest ponds and creeks, and socialized with other kids at playgrounds and parks. As I

grew older my choice of activities changed but the venue remained the same. Playing soccer

quickly became playing baseball while exploring nature at nearby creeks evolved into day hiking

trips at national parks and forests. The parks and greenspaces around me acted as stages for my

curiosity, recreation, and socializing and were invaluable experiences growing up. All children

and adults should experience the benefits that greenspaces provide regardless of whether they

live in an urban or rural environment.

I was naive to the important role that greenspaces played in my life and development until I

relocated to a more urban environment that lacked accessible greenspaces. Having been

surrounded by forests, small nature areas, and community parks growing up, I took the benefits

of these greenspaces for granted. While the accessibility of greenspaces changed in my life, I still

had the desire to spend time outdoors interacting with nature. Fulfilling this desire was a difficult

task and it took a lot of time and planning to achieve these