The LWVSHR supports the improvement, expansion, and maintenance of existing parks and recreational facilities and the continued efforts by the Hampton Roads cities to acquire additional land for open space, natural areas, green buffer zones, detention basins, linear parks, and recreational use. Our region’s cities should avoid giving up open space and recreational land for other purposes, and any recreational areas or open space lost to public or private use should be replaced. The League considers natural areas important to maintain an ecological balance and supports preservation of these areas.
The rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in our atmosphere is a key driver of climate change. Carbon sequestration via preserving our saltmarshes green spaces, and tree canopy is a win-win tactic, as our tree canopy also helps us reduce our energy consumption in the warmer months. The League supports ordinances requiring environmental impact assessment, tree canopy preservation, and tree replacement.
Rising sea level is a threat to life, quality-of-life, and property throughout eastern Virginia; therefore, the resilience of South Hampton Roads shoreline and watersheds is paramount to defending against the rising waters. A multi-faceted strategy must combat this complex problem through tactics that use green spaces to address its different aspects, including:
- design that incorporates green infrastructure, such as permeable surfaces, bio-swales, and rain gardens;
- use of native plants to optimize sustainability;
- land use planning that encourages responsible future choices by restricting development in flood prone areas and creating buffer zones, possibly through the selective purchase of high flood risk properties by public entities.
Realizing that these programs must be financed, the League considers taxes raised for specific projects a viable way to fund new programs. Keeping our residents and businesses informed about how to benefit from enhanced green spaces will help them make informed choices.
Too often, nature and green spaces become a boon solely for the privileged in our society. All communities, social and geographic, need safe, healthy places of natural beauty with equitable amenities and access. Our region’s residents have various types of communication needs, physical/mobility needs, and sensory/experiential needs. To ensure environmental justice, communities must be engaged at all levels of the land use decision process. This will help prevent unintentional gentrification and reduce the heat island effect and other environmental health risks of urban living.
Communities must also continue to be engaged in the use of diverse green spaces to reap maximum benefit. For example, permaculture-informed community gardens can provide natural beauty, educational opportunities and help alleviate food deserts.