Care About Your Neighborhood?

“Two 1995 studies (of the American public’s sentiments) showed that homebuyers identified natural open space and walking and bike paths as among the top four features (77% and 74% respectively) that they ranked very or extremely important. Also highly ranked were gardens with native plants and walking paths (56%); wilderness areas (52%); community/recreation centers (52%); and interesting little parks (50%).”¹

“The real estate market consistently demonstrates that many people are willing to pay a larger amount for a property located close to parks and open space areas than for a home that does not offer this amenity.”²

“A new poll of Philadelphia residents and business leaders found overwhelming support for protecting the city's environment and investing in infrastructure improvements, with 85 percent of respondents saying they would be more likely to vote for a mayoral candidate who made the environment a top priority.”³

"The most pleasant and appealing city neighborhoods are almost always those that have well-tended, tree-lined boulevards and neighborhood parks full of people using them.”⁴

A 2005 University of Pennsylvania Wharton School study evaluated the results of greening on real estate values in the New Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia and found:

• Greening vacant land caused surrounding house values to rise up to 30%
• Nearby tree-plantings (< 50’) caused property values to rise up to 10%
• Planting trees created a $4 million dollar total rise in property values & greening vacant land created a $12 million dollar total rise in property values⁵

“There are 56% fewer violent crimes and 48% fewer property crimes in inner-city apartment buildings with higher levels of greenery vs. those buildings with little or no vegetation.”⁶

“In inner-city neighborhoods where common spaces are often barren no-man’s lands, the presence of trees and grass supports common space use and informal social contact amongs neighbors. In addition, vegetation and [neighborhood social ties] were significantly related to residents sense of safety and adjustment.”⁷

¹Garvin, Alexander; Berens, Gayle; et. al. Urban Parks and Open Space, Washington D.C.: ULI – The Urban Land Institute, 1997.
²Crompton, John The Impact of Parks and Open Space on Property Values and the Property Tax Base, National Recreation and Park Association. 2000-01
³Philadelphia Inquirer, Monday May 22nd 2006, quoting a survey undertaken by Terry Madonna for Penn Futures.
⁴Garvin, Alexander; Berens, Gayle; et. al. Urban Parks and Open Space, Washington D.C.: ULI – The Urban Land Institute, 1997.
⁵ Susan Wachter; The Determinants of Neighborhood Transformation in Philadelphia. Identification and Analysis: The New Kensington Pilot Study. The Wharton School. University of Pennsylvania. Spring 2005
⁶Research performed by the University of Illinois
⁷Paul M. Sherer; White Paper titled “The Benefits of Parks: Why America Needs More City Parks and Open Space” Published by The Trust For Public Land. 2006.