We need parks not a concrete jungle
THE attempt to turn our parks into concrete jungles poses a major threat to the health of future generations. A daily brisk walk in the fresh air of a park is just as beneficial as the gym, for those who can’t afford to join one. From personal experience of 40 years as a doctor in general practice, I know there is a direct relationship between obesity and juvenile diabetes, yet local councils are contemplating selling parks for housing development. Putting on excessive weight and a lack of exercise in teenagers’ lifestyles are significant factors in developing type 2 diabetes. Saving our parks would not only help tackle Britain’s obesity crisis, but also maintain green lungs so we don’t have to inhale toxic traffic pollution. These pollutants are a major contributor to the increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as asthma in children and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. Parks provide a place for older people to walk their dogs and get exercise, which increases blood and oxygen to the brain, contributing to overall health. A regular social chat on a park bench stimulates the brain, enhancing the cognitive function. This might also be an effective strategy to delay the onset of dementia. Staying fit and trim is a passport to preventing heart disease, stroke and some cancers. I urge that our beautiful parks should not be sacrificed to make way for housing. Dr JinDi DHillOn, Folkestone, Kent. STrANGE that we never hear about the large available construction sites in London called Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens. They always seem to be tidy and well kept, too.
PHiliP MenZies, Hornchurch, essex. I SuPPorT the campaign to stop local authorities selling off our parks and open spaces to builders for housing development. Their reason is always that we need more homes, which we do, but most of the developments are in the superior bracket or are sold to overseas investors to be left empty. If the Labour Party gets its way to throw open the gates for everyone to move to Britain, there won’t be a blade of grass in this country that won’t have been built on.
Jennie MArTin, norwich.