The Power of Small Green Spaces: Why Pocket Parks and Street Trees Matter
When people think of nature in Utah, they often picture famous national parks, mountain trails, or vast desert canyons. These big, beautiful landscapes are important, but they’re not the only kind of nature that matters. Small, everyday green spaces like street trees, community gardens, or tiny parks also play a big role in our daily lives and well-being.
As Utah’s cities grow and become more crowded, these small green spaces are becoming more important than ever. They’re not just nice to look at, but they’re also essential for keeping people healthy, protecting us from the effects of climate change, and making sure all communities have access to nature.
Why Nearby Nature Matters
As more scientific research emerges around the topic, the significant benefits of nearby nature become more apparent. Remote wilderness requires time and travel, while small-scale urban greening is embedded in daily life. Accessible green spaces like small parks or tree-lined sidewalks have been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and promote physical activity.
A 2021 study found that proximity to green space was strongly associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression, particularly among lower-income populations. The benefits held up even after adjusting for physical activity, suggesting that the simple presence of greenery plays a direct role in mental health outcomes (Jimenez et al. 2021).
A well-known study from Toronto found that planting just ten more trees on a city block improved people's overall health, similar to the effect of earning $10,000 more per year (Kardan et al., 2015). This shows that even small amounts of urban greenery can strongly support public health.
Green Equity and Access Gaps
Despite the evidence, access to green spaces isn’t equal. In Salt Lake City, for example, there’s a clear gap in tree canopy between neighborhoods. Wealthier and less diverse east-side areas tend to have more mature trees and well-established parks. In contrast, west-side neighborhoods, which have more racially diverse and lower-income residents, often face what are called canopy deserts, with little tree cover and fewer public green spaces.
Salt Lake City’s 2021 Urban Forest Action Plan shows that some west-side neighborhoods have less than 5% tree canopy, while parts of the east bench have more than 25%. This isn’t just about appearances. Areas with fewer trees are hotter in the summer, have worse air quality, and offer fewer safe and calming outdoor spaces. This gap in access adds to the region’s wider health inequalities.
The Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore Index shows that only 67% of Salt Lake City residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. That’s much lower than leading cities like Minneapolis and San Francisco, where over 90% of residents have nearby park access. As urban areas grow, making sure people have green space close to home is not just important for health—it’s also an issue of environmental justice.
Urban Nature and Climate Resilience
Climate change makes this issue even more urgent. Small green spaces help cities stay livable during extreme weather. Trees cool neighborhoods and lower the risk of heat-related illness. Plants clean the air by filtering pollutants and trapping dust, which helps with breathing problems. Parks and other green areas also absorb stormwater, helping to prevent floods during heavy snowmelt seasons.
Just as important, nearby nature supports mental health. It can build resilience against stress, especially during times of environmental uncertainty. For young people, spending time in nature can offer calm and stability as they face growing concerns about climate change.
What Utah Cities Are Doing
There are encouraging signs of progress in Utah as cities and communities work to expand access to green space. Some municipal programs are focused on planting more trees, especially in areas with limited canopy cover. In certain neighborhoods, residents can receive free or low-cost trees to plant and care for, helping to grow urban forests at the local level.
Across the state, community groups have also stepped up, turning underused spaces into pocket parks, pollinator gardens, community gardens, and green gathering spots. These efforts, often supported by local nonprofits, are creating more opportunities for nature, connection, and pride in Utah’s neighborhoods.
Salt Lake County has made progress connecting trails and open spaces through initiatives like the Jordan River Parkway, but many gaps remain, especially in neighborhoods that need them most.
More can still be done. Cities can include green infrastructure in new development projects, update zoning codes to require or encourage green space, and prioritize community engagement in planning to make sure new green spaces meet the needs and wishes of the people who will use them.
How Residents Can Support Green Space
Public policy is important, but individuals and communities also have the power to protect and improve local nature. Residents can speak up at city or community council meetings to support funding for urban greening, volunteer with local environmental groups, or start small by caring for a neglected tree strip or planting a native garden on their property.
Schools, workplaces, and libraries can also contribute by incorporating nature into daily life, such as utilizing outdoor classrooms, holding walking meetings, or initiating planting projects. These small steps help show that green space is not a luxury but a shared need.
Conclusion
Utah’s wilderness areas will always be deeply valued. However, as cities grow and the climate warms, small everyday forms of nature, such as tree-lined streets, community gardens, and neighborhood parks, may play the most important role in creating healthier and more equitable cities.
The health impacts are well-documented, and the gaps in access are evident. While the solutions take effort, they are achievable. By investing in nearby green spaces, Utah can build cities that are not only more attractive but also more resilient, inclusive, and healthy.
Below is a comprehensive list of parks in Salt Lake City, along with maps of each: