We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
Show your pride and prepare for Canada Day with our Canada-Themed Displays >>
People of every age, gender, and creed enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces. But did you know there’s science to support the notion that green spaces improve community health?
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, environment, vegetation, and connectivity of green spaces were associated with improved health outcomes, although there were some differences based on age and gender.
The report also noted that areas that had greater tree canopies were more impactful than grassland. The primary outcomes that researchers found were health benefits surrounding allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular issues, and psychological well-being.
However, the quality of those green spaces matters.
According to the aforementioned study (titled ‘Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review’), "Green spaces may vary in terms of objectively measurable good qualities," while bad qualities may discourage visitation and negate any potential health benefits.
Here are some of the major good qualities the researchers mention that promote wellness and overall mental well-being:
Tree canopy
Footpaths
Seating
The bad qualities listed that discourage visitation to green spaces include:
Proximity to busy roads
Lack of accessibility
Neighbourhood green spaces have been proven to improve mental health, particularly with disadvantaged groups. Green spaces improve mental well-being primarily by creating a place for social interactions, green visibility, and allowing for physical exercise.
However, access to green spaces offer health benefits including improved levels of mental health, physical fitness, cognitive and immune function, and lower mortality rates.
Physical activity has been proven to be beneficial for your mental health. Being active releases chemicals in your brain that cause you to feel good, which can boost self-esteem, help you concentrate, and even make falling asleep easier. What’s more? This is amplified by getting outside.
You know the best part about that? It's something you can do completely free of charge. That would make anybody feel good! A lot of us hesitate to get active because we've been fed the notion that fitness happens in the gym; However, finding exercise you're able to enjoy for minimal to no cost can give you opportunity to get active without the sacrifice.
You can get out of the house, meet people, enjoy the weather and scenery by entering beautiful outdoor spaces.
Reduced tension, stress, and mental fatigue.
A natural boost in energy.
A sense of achievement.
Increased focus and motivation.
Feeling less angry or frustrated.
A healthier appetite.
Enjoyment and having fun.
However, it isn’t just about getting physical (although this is also great!); there are other ways nature can boost your mental health. Research has shown that nature has the natural ability to make people feel happier while reducing levels of depression and anxiety, while also making life feel like it’s more worthwhile.
Here are some simple, easy things you can do in green spaces other than just working out:
Have a picnic with the family.
Attending a weekend farmer’s market.
Go for a leisurely stroll.
Find a bench to do arts and crafts.
Enjoy morning coffee or tea (or any drink, really).
Attend local events held in outdoor public spaces.
Remember, while going outdoors is a fantastic way to give yourself a mental health boost, don’t forget to touch base with your doctor and mental health professionals.
Did you know Canadians spend roughly 90% of their time indoors? Post-pandemic, many people have equipped their homes with most of what they need, whether that's enough food to last a few weeks, a home gym or equipment, and plenty of indoor houseplants.
Many people work from home, too. In the modern era, few of us are likely to leave our homes for anything more than personal obligations like errands. Getting outdoors is great for your physical health, even if you have all the amenities you need to workout at home. Because getting physical outdoors has specific benefits!
Spending time outdoors can boost physical health in a lot of ways, and the best part is, you don't need to spend hours upon hours to reap the benefits. A study conducted in 2019 showed that 120 minutes a week in nature has been connected with good health outcomes and overall well-being. You don’t need to do that all at once, either.
You can either go on a 2-hour walk/jog or even break it up into smaller increments throughout the week. That 120 minutes per week is the sweet spot.
Here are some of the physical benefits of getting exercise outside:
Improved breathing
Better sleep
Increased motivation
Boosted immune function
Improved cardiovascular health
Increased vitamin D
OK, we’ve looked at the research, but how do you practically make a beautiful outdoor space that improves the health of the community? Well, there are a few things you need to keep in mind!
Having the right foliage and outdoor decor makes the space appealing to the community at large.
Having accessible site furniture that makes your green space welcoming to every one of every age and capability.
Classic Displays has everything you need to make healthy green spaces. From benches, to waste and recycling bins, as well as planters and tree guards. Plus, we have a lot more! We’ll get more into the specifics as we continue.
So, how do we create the most beautiful outdoor spaces for your community? Let’s explore.
Keeping your site furniture maintained isn’t just for aesthetics, it’s also to maintain accessibility. Speaking of accessible site furniture , you need to go for options that work well for everyone. Park benches, for example, should have supportive armrests to help those with physical limitations safely rise and stand from the seat.
The bench also needs a lot of clearance around it for wheelchair users.
Here’s how to properly maintain outdoor site furniture:
Clean surfaces regularly with mild soap and water.
Inspect for damage or wear periodically.
Tighten loose screws, bolts, or fasteners.
Apply protective coatings as needed (i.e., paint, sealant).
Remove debris and dirt from around furniture bases.
Store or cover during extreme weather conditions.
Replace damaged components promptly.
Classic Displays has several pieces of accessible site furniture. Check out our Compliant Picnic Table and our Accessible Riverside Bench.
You need some versatile site furniture that can provide a safe place to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy activities. What does that mean? Plenty of picnic tables! Picnic tables are some of the most versatile pieces of site furniture because they can be used as a place to relax and enjoy the surroundings, while also being a perfect surface for activities like arts and crafts, board games, and even chess.
Make sure all outdoor spaces have regular maintenance. This means keeping site furniture in good condition, keeping grass and foliage trimmed and clear from walkways, and the area clear from trash. Keeping this space clean not only improves its aesthetics, but it also promotes community green efforts.
Making sure there is ample trash and recycling bins within reach for disposables means you keep the surrounding area healthy, while ensuring materials are going in the right place. This also gets the community involved in green efforts, making an overall healthier environment for everyone.
You should also invest in signs that encourage people not to litter and “stoop and scoop” after their pets. Also, have a specialized bin for animal waste: no one wants to walk by a trash can that smells like poo.
Check out Classic Displays Urban Flare Container and Fido 25 Dog Waste Bin.
Whether you bike for sport or use it as your primary means of transportation, you need a safe place to store your ride. Green spaces need to have bike racks that are secure enough that those visiting to lock up their bikes to take a break and enjoy the beautiful outdoor space.
Classic Displays is renowned for our stunning Christmas décor, but we also craft high-quality site furniture designed to keep your community green and accessible. If any of our products caught your eye today, we’d love to hear from you!
With over 46 years of experience, our team is ready to meet your community’s needs with expertise and care.
Do you want your city or town to look beautiful all year round? Adding decorations is a fantastic way to celebrate the outdoors, and they are also perfect for those with limited funds. Banners and flags create vibrant public spaces on any budget.
Banners and flags are incredibly versatile as they communicate several messages to the public, from artistic expression to holiday cheer. They can be used as local art installations based on the time of year, the city itself and its themes, and holidays.
Not only this, but you can also show pride in your province, country, or seasonal celebration by raising a flag in the honorarium.
As you walk through city streets, the way your town is decorated speaks volumes about its character. When local officials invest in styling public spaces, it sends a clear message: This is a community that cares. Thoughtful design and seasonal decor create a sense of pride and progress, reassuring residents that their city is always evolving for the better.
A well-maintained, inviting atmosphere reflects a commitment to fostering connection and inclusivity. One simple yet powerful way to achieve this is through seasonal banners and flags. These vibrant displays transform everyday spaces, infusing them with artistic expression and community spirit.
With each change of season or holiday, banners can be seamlessly swapped on poles and streetlights to reflect the moment – whether it is Christmas, Winter Solstice, Thanksgiving, Pride, or the arrival of Summer or Fall. These visual markers not only celebrate traditions but also bring people together, reinforcing a shared sense of belonging.
The wonderful thing about using banners and flags to decorate your community is that they are not only beautiful but they’re also versatile.
Regardless of the season or the occasion, there is always a banner or flag to match the celebration. Meaning that regardless of the significance of the festivity, you can prepare your town or city for the occasion without stress. You’ll be ready, stylish, and focused on showing the public that all your efforts are laser-focused on ensuring they’ll have a lovely time. What’s better than that?
Now that we’ve discussed versatility, let’s talk about more of the practical aspects of raising themed banners and flags around your town or city.
Do you want to make your town or city beautiful on a budget? Raising themed banners or seasonal flags is a wonderful way to show your commitment to your community by making things beautiful. However, not every town or city has a massive budget to put into beautifying public spaces – and there’s no harm in that.
Having a limited budget doesn’t mean that you can’t have style – it just means you need to know how to spend your money wisely. Banners and flags are more affordable than other outdoor decorations, so you can trust that your investment will be returned.
In fact, a study published by PubMed showed that group identity symbols, including flags and logos, increased the unity within a group. This creates a better sense of togetherness and leads groups to be perceived as more effective and competent.
How cool is that?
Imagine bringing a community together on a tight budget while also having the maximum impact. Causing people to embrace their sense of community. Not only this, but the celebration of regular holidays and seasons also allows the community to gather in shared joy and delight. Banners adorning town and city streets are a welcoming sign that something new is on the horizon, sparking excitement in the community.
Just look at some of Classic Display’s seasonal and holiday banners/flags here:
Sometimes, the best decorations are the ones that don’t take the maximum effort to install. Don’t get us wrong; we know you want to do the most for your community, but you can save valuable energy for other endeavours by opting for flags and banners.
Banners and flags blend affordability, artistic expression, and ease of access. They're far cheaper than paying for a mural installation or erecting a sculpture, saving you time and money.
You can be endlessly creative without massive financial expectations. Therefore, you can do more with a limited budget than you would if you spent more money on one statement item. Instead, you can decorate the streets and allow the entire community to enjoy your efforts without a big bill at the end of it all.
Here are some unique and colourful options to consider from Classic Displays:
The excellent thing about outdoor banners and flags is that they're specially designed to withstand the elements, which means they can last multiple seasons with light maintenance. For example, vinyl banners are suitable for long-term seasons. They're also flexible in the way that they can be displayed in several different settings, giving you the creative freedom to allow urban planners to experiment.
The excellent thing about vinyl banners is they're not only durable, but they also have vivid print quality that makes bold designs stand out. They can feature details that really make a statement, catching the attention of the community and making them feel warm and welcome.
This vividness isn't at all dulled by challenging weather conditions, regardless of rain, fog, or sleet – you'll still see them from the town/city streets!
Check out some of these seasonal banners from Classic Displays here:
According to a study conducted by the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, placemaking initiatives, such as public art, inspired a 50% increase in individuals' intention to spend time in an “enhanced environment.” In plain language? Attractive areas make people want to spend time in them!
Banners and flags can truly bring your community to life, as they are easy to notice and stand out in varying weather. You can collaborate with companies such as Classic Displays to create meaningful works of art that inspire the community regardless of the celebration or season.
Their colourful nature can bring even the blandest spaces to life, creating vibrant city streets that are more attractive to both locals and tourists.
The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), in collaboration with the International Downtown Association and Canadian Issues Task Force, conducted a study on the evolution of Canadian downtowns. The study highlights the value of investing in downtown areas and shows that the innovation in the revitalization efforts nationwide is worthwhile. The evidence-based insights suggest that better urban planning strengthens the future of Canada's downtown cores.
Making the downtown of your community attractive encourages the local and tourist population to snap pics and spend more time there – which can inspire them to explore local shops and restaurants. This boosts the economy and creates a vibrant downtown core that will make your neighbours jealous!
Listen, your downtown core holds cultural significance to your community, being the lifeline between local businesses and iconic landmarks. Your downtown core is a cultural hub that attracts both locals, workers, and tourists alike; and flags and banners create a more artistic and interesting space to be in.
Your downtown is a place to display urban art, pop-ups, gatherings, and more; by even making a small budget for banners and flags to create a vibrant public space, you can highlight a key area of your town or city. The more effort you put into making this essential space vibrant, the more likely your community will spend time there.
Here are some of the key reasons banners and flags enhance your downtown core:
Enhances Visual Appeal – Banners and flags add visual appeal, making your streetscape vibrant.
Creates a Welcoming Atmosphere – Banners and flags can make your downtown core feel very inviting and lively.
Promotes Local Events & Businesses – You can use banners or flags to highlight seasonal festivals or holidays, as well as local businesses!
Boosts Tourism – An attractive downtown core inspires visitors by showcasing the area's identity.
Encourages Community Engagement – By adding flags and banners to your downtown, you can inspire people to spend more time there.
Supports Branding & Identity – Want to reinforce the character of your city or town? Banners and flags can do that for you.
Affordable Beautification – Banners and flags are a cost-effective way to enhance your public spaces while staying on a budget.
If you need commercial quality flags, custom or stock vinyl banners, standard or custom projects, Classic Displays has what you need. There are banners for nearly any occasion, as well as flags for special occasions and provinces across Canada. Regardless of your needs, Classic Displays has what you need.
Classic Displays has been in operation since 1977, starting with humble beginnings and expanding over 46 years. Now, we serve more than 350 municipalities, more than 150 BIA groups, and several commercial properties across Canada.
Banners and flags create vibrant public spaces on any budget, so let Classic Displays help you find the banners and flags that suit you. Contact us today.
Log In / Register
