Parque urbano e serviços ecossistêmicos culturais: um estudo sobre o Parque Natural Municipal da Lajinha no município de Juiz de Fora – Minas Gerais

Abstract

The present work highlights different benefits of enjoying an urban green area, especially in relation to reconnecting with nature, which proves the relevance of urban parks for the health and well-being of city dwellers. Urban parks acquire centrality, contributing to the provision of cultural ecosystem services, positively interfering in ensuring the environmental quality of cities and also in improving the quality of life of populations, providing opportunities for contact with nature, moments of recreation, leisure and sociability. The work was carried out from a qualitative research perspective, within a humanistic perspective, through exploratory research, anchored in bibliographic and documentary research, observation and semistructured interviews. Inspired by this context, the present work aims to understand the importance of the Lajinha Municipal Natural Park (PNML), located in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, in providing cultural ecosystem services to residents of the direct surroundings and visitors/goers residents of the municipality. The main perceived benefit was psychological, associated with contact with nature, leisure, recreation, contemplation and spirituality, making these subjects recognize the importance of this green area for the provision of cultural ecosystem services, with direct interference in the improvement health and promoting well-being.