Parks and green spaces are beautiful places to explore, grow and feel rejuvenated – but did you know that they also benefit your emotional, social, and physical wellbeing? There are numerous studies that show that spending time outdoors will help you become healthier in ways such as:

  • Increased brain volume and creativity
  • Decreased development in diseases such as asthma, allergies, and dementia
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Expectant mothers will deliver babies with higher birth weights
  • Increased resiliency toward stress

And that list continues to grow! But why are we inside more than ever? We chatted with Jody Watson, Senior Director of Programming & Education at Assiniboine Park Conservancy, to talk more about this:

What are the health benefits of being outdoors?

Spending time outdoors has many benefits. I think most of us have a memory of being in nature and feeling a calmness. Studies prove that access to nature improves one's quality of life. It has positive impacts on our social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. When people are healthy and happy, they put less strain on our healthcare system and are more likely to contribute to their communities in various ways.

What holds us back from taking advantage of being outside more?

Unfortunately, outdoor time is not always seen as a priority. Work, chores, and family duties often take precedence, and when we have a spare moment, we usually grab our phone for some mindless scrolling time. Spending time in nature will positively impact our overall wellness, allowing us more energy to do all the "musts." We need to make spending time outside a part of our regular healthy behaviours. Eat your veggies, get a good night's sleep, find time for physical fitness, and spend time in nature.

How can Assiniboine Park help with bringing these benefits to more people?

Assiniboine Park is a true gem of our city. We have over 400 acres of green space in the park alone. You'll find gorgeously manicured gardens and many pockets of true wild spaces within those areas. Assiniboine Park Conservancy is responsible for maintaining these spaces and keeping them healthy for future generations. Our Research and Conservation team's Strategic Plan has one area devoted to protecting Urban Biodiversity for parks such as ours. Plus, we have been working on a forestry management strategy to protect our current trees' health and plan for future plantings to maintain a healthy tree inventory.

On the education side, we provide workshops, tours, and programs for all ages that get people outside to learn about and connect with nature.

How is Assiniboine Park accessible to the public?

Assiniboine Park is located on a few major bus routes, making it possible for people to access via public transportation. Each year, we provide Community Access Vouchers that can be used at either The Zoo or The Leaf. We partner with outside organizations like the United Way, who assist in distributing these passes to individuals and families facing health and socio-economic barriers. In 2024, we gave out 22,500 vouchers.

A program that is near and dear to my heart is our ParkShare program. This donor-funded program provides funding to cover the cost of guided programs for students, youth, seniors, and new Canadians so they can experience the park, leaf and zoo with one of our educators. ParkShare also provides subsidies for transportation fees.

What do you wish more people knew about conservation and its role in health and wellbeing?

Everyone has a role to play in nature conservation because we need a healthy planet to survive. Connecting with nature is the first step. Connection leads to appreciation, and appreciation leads to conservation. You won't want to protect something you don't care about.

Discover more about Assiniboine Park, its hours, and more on our website.