充满绿色的自然空间能为城市生活质量的提高提供各种各样的帮助。有研究显示，虽然大型公园往往远离居民的住房，但我们可以通过建造更多袖珍公园 “pocket park” 的方式来改善城市生活。本文探讨袖珍公园为城市生活带来的各种好处。

词汇：urban parks 城市公园

How often do you go to the park? Is it part of your everyday life, or a trip that you plan? Many large urban parks are situated far from where people live, meaning they are a destination for planned visits rather than everyday life. For example, only 14% of the population of Los Angeles have a park within walking distance. Also, the distribution of such parks is often relatively unequal, meaning that they benefit some areas and groups of people much more than others. A number of studies have shown that it is often disadvantaged neighbourhoods that lack easy access to green spaces. It's rarely practical to address this by creating large new parks, but designating small parcels of land, empty lots, or even parts of quiet streets as pocket parks can have a major impact on residents' quality of life.

Often no larger than a few tennis courts and located within neighbourhoods close to where people live, these green spaces can strengthen community bonds. They provide a place to meet neighbours, or a play area for children. Green gyms or ball game areas can give local people a space to exercise in, improving public health outcomes. Local businesses can use spaces to promote their products or organise events to help them grow. A study by the University of Philadelphia, showed that crime was reduced in neighbourhoods with pocket parks, compared to those which left empty spaces derelict. Studies report that where space is used to make pocket parks, communities feel greater ownership of and attachment towards their neighbourhood.

As well as benefits for the human population, an increase in green space can benefit the local environment. Pocket parks can act as stepping stones, allowing wildlife to travel across the city, as well as providing habitats for different species. Parks provide increased tree canopy cover, offering shade which can counteract urban heat island effects, helping to reduce temperatures. Trees also help to reduce air pollution, and green space allows water to drain away, reducing flood risks. Could pocket parks be a relatively cheap way to strengthen communities and improve local environments?

词汇表

destination 目的地
walking distance 能方便地通过步行到达的距离
disadvantaged 弱势的，条件较差的
designate 把…指定为
parcel 小块（土地）
lot 一块地
quality of life 生活质量
community bonds 社区纽带，社区关系
green gym 位于户外的健身场所
public health outcome 公共健康状况
derelict 废弃的，弃置的
ownership 归属感
attachment 依赖感
stepping stone 垫脚石，前进的帮助手段
habitat 栖息地
tree canopy cover 树冠覆盖率
urban heat island 城市热岛，指城市的温度高于周边地区

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What do 86% of people in Los Angeles not have access to?

2. What kind of neighbourhood often lacks easy access to green spaces?

3. True or False? Pocket parks are always larger than two tennis courts.

4. What benefit of pocket parks was shown in a University of Philadelphia study?

5. How can pocket parks reduce temperatures?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. If something is within _______, you don't need to drive.

habitat lot parcel walking distance

2. When people are happy, they take _______ of their local area.

community bonds ownership parcel derelict

3. Green space can improve people's _______.

quality of life destination tree canopy stepping stone

4. Pocket parks provide animals with _______.

attachment habitats urban heat islands walking distance

5. Communities can transform unused, _______ land into pocket parks.

parcel lot derelict attachment

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What do 86% of people in Los Angeles not have access to?

86% of people in Los Angeles don’t have access to a park within walking distance.

2. What kind of neighbourhood often lacks easy access to green spaces?

It is often disadvantaged neighbourhoods that lack easy access to green spaces.

3. True or False? Pocket parks are always larger than two tennis courts.

False. Pocket parks are often no larger than a few tennis courts.

4. What benefit of pocket parks was shown in a University of Philadelphia study?

A study by the University of Philadelphia showed that crime was reduced in neighbourhoods with pocket parks, compared to those which left empty spaces derelict.

5. How can pocket parks reduce temperatures?

Parks provide increased tree canopy cover, offering shade which can help reduce temperatures.

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. If something is within walking distance, you don't need to drive.

2. When people are happy, they take ownership of their local area.

3. Green space can improve people's quality of life.

4. Pocket parks provide animals with habitats.

5. Communities can transform unused, derelict land into pocket parks.