Re: [CPEO-BIF] Research on public perception of brownfields to parks?

Here are two excerpts from our NEMW report on the "Environmental and Economic Impacts of Brownfields Redevelopment" available at: http://www.nemw.org/images/stories/documents/EnvironEconImpactsBFRedev.pdf (Note you may have to copy the URL into your browser).

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"A report prepared by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) found that seven completed brownfields-to-greenspace projects reported mean off-site property value increases of 126 percent, compared to a control group that averaged 25 percent increases." Source: International Economic Development Council (IEDC), for

U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, “Converting Brownfields to Green Space,” January 2002

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"When over 475 site users and neighborhood residents were asked to rate the community impacts of three brownfields-to-park projects in the Midwest (Ping Tom Memorial Park and Senka Park in Chicago and Mill Ruins Park/Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis), the following scores emerged. Mean scores were calculated based on a five point scale where 1 = major negative impact, 2 = minor negative impact, 3 = no impact, 4 = minor positive impact, 5 = major positive impact.

Community Quality of Life Impacts	Mean Score
Scenic beauty	4.74
Trails for walking, hiking and biking	4.66
Neighborhood appeal	4.66
Having natural areas present	4.63
Access to recreational areas	4.61
Community pride	4.59
Blight removal	4.51
Personal fitness	4.49
Property values	4.46
Access to quiet area	4.46
Social interaction among residents	4.46
Personal health	4.44
Access to children's playgrounds	4.31
Planned activities for children	4.30
Having wildlife present	4.30
Access to picnicking areas	4.29
Access to educational displays/programs	4.22
Economic/business activity	4.09
Public facilities (restroom, water fountain)	3.93
Crime levels	3.78
Drug problems	3.65

The original source is: De Sousa, C. 2006. “Unearthing the Benefits of Brownfield to Greenspace Projects: An Examination of Project Use and Quality of Life Impacts,” Local Environment 11(5): 577-600.

Evans Paull, Senior Policy Analyst

Northeast Midwest Institute

50 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

202-329-4282 (cell)

fax 202-544-0043

epaull@nemw.org

www.nemw.org

NEMW Brownfields Website

^{^[1]} De Sousa, “Unearthing…,” 2006