Open Space Provides Valuable Benefits
Research has consistently shown that open space provides a host of benefits to individuals and communities. For years, cities and communities of all sizes across the country have embraced the concept of open space, both as developed parklands for recreational use and more open, natural areas.
Recently, commercial developers have started to embrace the concept as well. At Miller’s Landing, a new multi-use development in Castle Rock, CO, we’ve kept open space a priority in our plan’s design, including a regional trail that will connect the development to Philip S. Miller Park, the region’s top outdoor recreation park.
The new town center at Miller’s Landing, supported by offices, retail and restaurant options, a resort hotel and conference and meeting space, includes large parcels of open space for recreation and rejuvenation. It’s a far cry from the packed, congested concrete canyons of downtown or bland, soulless office parks.
Open Space Promotes Healthy Living
In a blog post titled The Health Benefits of Small Parks and Green Spaces, the National Recreation and Park Association outline a host of benefits offered by open space. These include:
- Stress Reduction – Environmental psychologists have found that visual exposure to nature, including trees, grass and flowers, can effectively reduce stress, particularly if initial stress levels are high. The body response often occurs within minutes.
- Better Mental Health and Functioning – Brief experiences with nature, even viewing outdoor settings, can help restore mental fatigue. Natural settings provide a break from the intense focus required at work and school. It’s believed this may result in higher productivity. Research has shown that workers with views of nature have higher job satisfaction, report fewer illnesses and are better able to stay on task.
- Improved Mindfulness and Creativity – Studies show that time spent in nature and open space is mentally restorative. It promotes curiosity and fosters new and more flexible ways of thinking in creative professionals.
- Improved Mood and Attitude — A study found that walking through green and open spaces with trees lowered frustration levels and increased brain activity to a state resembling meditation. Walking through crowded treeless retail and commercial areas did not have the same effect.
Business Insider has also covered the proven benefits of open space. In a blog titled 11 Scientific Reasons You Should Be Spending More Time Outside, they outline how open space benefits both individuals and business, all backed by scientific research.
According the Business Insider, the benefits of open space include:
- Improved short-term memory. In a study by the University of Michigan, students who took a memory test, then walked through an arboretum, did 20 percent better on a second test than they did on the first test. Students who walked through an urban area showed little difference in test results.
- Better vision. Research has shown that outdoor activity may reduce the risk of developing myopia, or nearsightedness, in children.
- Improved concentration. A study showed that time spent in nature, or even viewing the outdoors, improves concentration. On a copyediting test, subjects who walked through nature before taking the test scored higher than subjects who walked through a city or those who simply relaxed.
- Sharper thinking and creativity. In a study in which college students were asked to repeat sequences of numbers, those who walked in nature were much more accurate. The report on the study on “nature therapy” opened with the statement, “Imagine a therapy that had no known side effects, was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost.” Impressive indeed.
- Reduced risk of early death. A Dutch study of more than 250,000 people reported that the percentage of green space in people’s living environment positively association with the perceived general health of residents. A follow-up study by the same team found a lower level of a wide variety of diseases among residents who lived close to open space.
A New Kind of Development
Miller’s Landing is a new kind of multi-use development. Situated on 65 acres in the heart of Castle Rock, CO, Miller’s Landing is located in a prime strategic location for businesses.
Castle Rock is a popular and growing community in the south Denver metro area. Located on the I-25 corridor, it offers the charms of a small-town community with easy access to big city amenities in Denver.
Making Open Space a Priority
Open space is a priority at Miller’s Landing. We offer plenty of area to get outdoors, relax and meet with others. Miller’s Landing also offers easy access to 300-acre Philip S. Miller Park via a walking and biking trail. The park is the area’s premier outdoor recreation park. It offers nearly eight miles of interconnected single-track mountain bike trails, a zip line with 10 lines connected to the park’s ridges, a 178-foot, 200-step challenge hill and a 40-foot climbing wall.
In addition, the park is home to an outdoor amphitheater, the Millhouse events center, a 2.5-acre adventure playground and a plaza for picnics and group gatherings. It also offers sports fields, an indoor aquatics center, a golf simulator and indoor batting cages.
Build Your Future Here
Unlike the bland office parks of yesterday or the crowed offices of downtown, Miller’s Landing offers a walkable, easy to access town center environment with stunning views of the Colorado Rockies.
We’re building an exciting future. Join us and be a part of it.
