Urban Dog Parks
According to USA Today, dog parks have become the equivalent of playgrounds and community centers where there are large concentrations of singles, childless couples and lots of open space. Current demographics state that there are now more households with dogs than with kids. Dog parks are basically playgrounds for people without kids, and are the equivalent of community centers or playgrounds. They provide for socialization among both dogs and their owners.
MRPA online states many of the environmental benefits of dog parks. These benefits include the reduction of miles driven to dog permitted public lands outside city limits which reduces fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and dog ownership also increases the use of, connection to, and support of natural areas.
Douglas County, Director Of Parks, Trails, And Building Grounds. Beyond the Dog Park: (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
"Fastest-growing Urban Parks Are for the Dogs." USATODAY.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
Community Gardens
As stated by its website, the Mission of the American Community Gardening Association is to build community by increasing and enhancing community gardening across the United States and Canada. The American Community Gardening Association also known as the ACGA is a bi-national nonprofit membership organization of professionals, volunteers and supporters of community greening in urban and rural communities. The ACGA recognizes that community gardening improves people’s quality of life by providing a catalyst for neighborhood and community development, stimulating social interaction, encouraging self-reliance, beautifying neighborhoods, producing nutritious food, reducing family food budgets, conserving resources and creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education.
The ACGA and its member organizations work to promote and support all aspects of community such as food gardening, landscaping, urban forestry, preservation and management of open space, and integrated planning and management of developing urban and rural lands. The Association supports community gardening by facilitating the formation and expansion of state and regional community gardening networks; developing resources in support of community gardening; and, encouraging research and conducting educational programs.
"The Beginning of the ACGA Coalition - American Community Garden Association." American Community Garden Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
