Greening and Community Health

Author(s): Center for Community Progress

Stabilizing vacant lots through cleanups and regular maintenance can help to reduce the harms of unmaintained vacant land on mental and physical health. While projects such as greenspaces, small parks, and community gardens are often implemented to improve curb appeal or remove nuisances, studies now show they can improve community health and well-being. Researchers have studied a variety of vacant lot greening interventions and their effects on community health and well-being. This fact sheet summarizes key takeaways from recent studies exploring the community health benefits associated with different projects.