For Berkeley community member Joe Liesner, getting out of the concrete-covered city of Berkeley and exploring a state park or beach feels wonderful.
He said stepping into urban green space, even if it is surrounded by buildings, captures part of that feeling without leaving the city.
Berkeley’s Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department does much to maintain the city’s green space, according to Berkeley City Councilmember Kate Harrison. She added that green space helps mitigate climate change and provides a space for people to recreate.
“Seeing nature, seeing animals and seeing other people relaxing around us it’s so important for the human psyche to relax and not be trapped in the rat race of school and work and society,” Liesner said.