Face-to-face social interaction has been on a downswing: From 2003 to 2022, socializing decreased among American adults by about 30%—35% for unmarried Americans, and more than 45% for teenagers. Facing what has been called a “loneliness epidemic,” the Surgeon General of the United States released an advisory, aiming to help people build more connected lives.
Socialization isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” The lack of social connection is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death. “The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day”—worse than the effects of obesity and physical inactivity.
Parks and other outdoor recreational sites are well-positioned to help reverse the downward slide in socialization. Outdoor parks can provide the ideal gathering place for friends and families, fostering community engagement and connection.
Create Space for Social Interaction
After evaluating thousands of public spaces around the world, the Project for Public Spaces determined that the most
successful spaces have four things in common: accessibility, activities, comfort and socialization. You can create a successful space for socializing, community interaction and connection by incorporating these elements in your park spaces.
Much of the comfort of your site, for example, derives from the furnishings and amenities you provide. Park benches in the shade provide a place where friends can sit and chat. Picnic tables—in groups under a shelter, or placed singly in a grove of trees—provide a place for families large and small to gather. Water fountains provide an outdoor “water cooler” spot, where people can stop and chat as they hydrate. Add a bottle filler, and bikers, runners and walkers will stop along their route through your park to fill up, providing yet another opportunity for social interaction.
Litter and recycling receptacles remind everybody that this is a shared space, while encouraging them to keep it clean and inviting for others. Message centers can promote community news and information.
Activity & Interaction
While benches and picnic tables provide a comfortable spot for folks to rest their feet or watch the action along trails, sports fields, skateparks and in other active areas, other park furnishings provide the opportunity for people to connect with others while also getting active themselves.
Outdoor exercise equipment can be placed in a group, encouraging people of all abilities to work out together. Place that 
zone near a playground, along with some benches, and you’ve given parents and caretakers the choice to sit and watch, or get in a workout while they keep an eye on their kids at play.
Bleachers alongside your sports fields help build a fan base for local teams—and provide more opportunities for parents and friends of the athletes on the field to connect with one another during the game. Dog park equipment brings people and their furry friends together. Bike racks can offer chance encounters between like-minded enthusiasts.
Comfort & Aesthetics
Pay attention to comfort. On hot summer days, are there places for visitors to gather in the shade, such as a grouping of trees, a picnic shelter or a shade structure?
Look at all of your park’s furnishings. Are they a hodgepodge of materials and colors? Try to create a more unified look by selecting colors and materials that complement each other, making your park more pleasing to the eye.
Is there litter present? Graffiti? Damaged or vandalized equipment? These can make a bad impression on visitors, implying that your park is less safe, or simply less cared for. Be sure to take care of any damage quickly to keep your park looking its best. In addition, ensure your litter and recycling receptacles are located in areas where people tend to leave trash, such as picnic areas, entrances and other places where people gather.
For More Information
Belson Outdoors LLC
800-323-5664
www.belson.com