This indicator provides information about the geographic locations of publicly available recreational spaces.<br><br>Publicly available recreational spaces play an important role in communities, often conferring myriad health benefits. Access to places for physical activity, such as parks, trails, playgrounds, and community centers with recreational facilities, has been shown to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and many types of cancer.<br><br>Community recreational spaces also provide opportunities for park-related interventions that may reduce violent crime; serve as locations for outreach to increase access to and enrollment in health and social services; and provide space for community gardens and farmers’ markets, thereby increasing community access to fresh produce. Moreover, parks and other green spaces have environmental benefits that can protect community health through improved air quality and reduced impacts from the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/heatislands" target="_blank"> urban heat island effect </a>.