Growing Roots: How Urban Green Spaces Are Protecting Community Health in Portland
Growing Roots: How Urban Green Spaces Are Protecting Community Health in Portland Cate Pocitari https://www.portland.gov/parks/community-gardens/volunteer-information When we think about public health in Portland, most of us imagine clinics, ER visits, or long wait times for appointments. But what if one of the strongest tools we have for community well-being is something much simpler, something as ordinary as trees, gardens, and the green spaces that help us feel grounded? A recent report from the Oregon Health Authority, titled Climate, Health, and Oregon’s Urban Communities, explains how environmental changes like extreme heat and poor air quality are hitting some neighborhoods much harder than others. Areas with fewer parks and trees are facing higher temperatures, more asthma, and fewer safe places for kids to play (OHA, 2024). It shows how deeply connected our environment is to our health. The report points out something important. Ha...