Health Dollars for Parks and Greenspace

Health dollars can do more—by investing in parks. This research shows how hospitals, park agencies, and communities can work together to leverage community benefit funding to improve health outcomes for their residents.

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Key Takeaways from the Study

Parks and greenspaces are impactful health investments. Decades of research show that parks promote physical activity, mental health, social connection—making them highly effective tools for improving community health.
A promising funding source is hiding in plain sight. Nonprofit hospitals are required to invest in community health, yet hospital community benefit funds are rarely directed toward parks and greenspaces, despite being an eligible and impactful use of these dollars.
Successful examples already exist. Our study identifies real-world cases where hospitals have supported parks, trails, and outdoor spaces, demonstrating that health-sector investment in parks is both feasible and beneficial.
Stakeholders across sectors support the idea. Hospital leaders, park agencies, and community organizations consistently recognized the health value of parks and expressed interest in deeper collaboration.
Barriers exist, but they are surmountable. Participants cited challenges such as limited staff capacity, competing hospital priorities, constrained funding, and lack of coordination, but viewed these as practical obstacles rather than opposition to park investment.
Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) are a key lever. CHNAs represent a critical entry point for identifying park needs, elevating parks as a social determinant of health, and aligning hospital investments with community priorities.
Clear, actionable recommendations point the way forward. The study offers practical strategies for hospitals, park agencies, and community groups to partner more effectively, integrate park data into CHNAs, and direct health dollars toward advancing park equity and health equity.

Download the Summary

Health Dollars for Parks and Greenspace

Key Takeaways from the Study

Parks and greenspaces are impactful health investments. Decades of research show that parks promote physical activity, mental health, social connection—making them highly effective tools for improving community health.

A promising funding source is hiding in plain sight. Nonprofit hospitals are required to invest in community health, yet hospital community benefit funds are rarely directed toward parks and greenspaces, despite being an eligible and impactful use of these dollars.

Successful examples already exist. Our study identifies real-world cases where hospitals have supported parks, trails, and outdoor spaces, demonstrating that health-sector investment in parks is both feasible and beneficial.

Stakeholders across sectors support the idea. Hospital leaders, park agencies, and community organizations consistently recognized the health value of parks and expressed interest in deeper collaboration.

Barriers exist, but they are surmountable. Participants cited challenges such as limited staff capacity, competing hospital priorities, constrained funding, and lack of coordination, but viewed these as practical obstacles rather than opposition to park investment.

Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) are a key lever. CHNAs represent a critical entry point for identifying park needs, elevating parks as a social determinant of health, and aligning hospital investments with community priorities.

Clear, actionable recommendations point the way forward. The study offers practical strategies for hospitals, park agencies, and community groups to partner more effectively, integrate park data into CHNAs, and direct health dollars toward advancing park equity and health equity.