Читать книгу The Outdoor Citizen. Get Out, Give Back, Get Active онлайн

23 страница из 75

Will has big ideas and a guiding vision, and he’s incredibly effective. He’s approachable and accessible, and he connects people to the “why” of their work; its value, not just the steps necessary to get a project done. Under Will’s leadership, the Trust for Public Land developed its ParksScore index. The ParksScore index is “the most comprehensive evaluation of park access and quality in the 100 largest U.S. cities”7 and a tool for city leaders and their Outdoor Citizens to see where their city falls in comparison to others. Will told me that he believes city leaders are starting to see the awe-inspiring value of green spaces, from how they attract prospective residents to how they bring businesses looking to relocate. In Will’s words, “Cities are now thinking parks give them a competitive advantage and see the multiple benefits that parks provide—including addressing public health and climate change. From day one, we thought the connection with nature was vital and that people needed to be part of the solution or they would be part of the problem.”8