Lower health costs are a walk in the national park

Those are the key findings of a new study into the recreational and wellbeing benefits of SA’s metropolitan national parks.

The study, undertaken by researchers at the University of Adelaide on behalf of the Department for Environment and Water, found a notable difference in health between those individuals who visit parks and those who don’t.

The study focused on 20 popular parks and reserves including Anstey Hill, Cleland, Deep Creek, Morialta, and Onkaparinga.

Researchers assessed visitor use patterns, self-reported health scores and travel estimates to explore the health and wellbeing-related economic benefits of park visitation across the metropolitan area.

Director Regional Operations with National Parks and Wildlife Service Stuart Paul said this important study serves to reinforce the crucial role our parks and reserves play in health and wellbeing.

“We know there’s a strong connection between people’s health and nature. Evidence shows that spending time in nature is good for us it improves our physical and mental health as well as providing opportunities for us to connect with friends and family,” Mr Paul said.

“By visiting a national park you’re also helping to ease the burden on the health system and improve the state’s economy.”

Mr Paul said the report also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for equitable access to parks for improved health outcomes across the whole community.

“The government committed an additional $30 million in the State Budget towards maintaining and improving our national parks, ensuring they remain a haven for wildlife and biodiversity, as well as improving visitor experiences,” Mr Paul said.

“Insights from this report will be essential for informing future policy decisions and investments in our national parks.”

Key findings from the study include:

• On average, regular park visitors are 4% healthier that those that do not visit parks.
• The better health of regular visitors to metro parks equates to $140 million a year in potential avoided health expenditure on chronic diseases in South Australia.
• Most residents can access an Adelaide metropolitan park within 30 minutes of their home (approximately 13 km).
• People of lower socio-economic areas visit parks less frequently because they have further to travel. Creating parks closer to lower socio-economic groups would potentially lead to improved health outcomes for these groups.

View the full report at: www.parks.sa.gov.au/understanding-parks/value-of-sas-parks