Whether you’re searching for a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life, a scenic spot to stroll, or just a spot to quiet your mind for a bit: visit the Fort Worth Japanese Garden, named the most peaceful place in Texas.
A non-profit by the name of Earth.fm conducted a study this past year of the ‘quietest places in the world’s loudest cities‘. Addressing the fact that around 80% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, the purpose of the study was to highlight the impact of noise pollution and discover those places where residents can find quiet.
The study cites the World Health Organization (WHO), which called noise pollution an “underestimated threat” and a “leading environmental nuisance“.
The study encompasses cities with populations over 250,000 in the United States, UK, and Europe. The study’s definition of noisy refers to the percentage of the city’s residents exposed to high levels of noise (above 65 decibels) on a day-to-day basis.
In an effort to find quiet places within these loud cities where residents could escape the noise, the organization methodically researched reviews of natural areas in the cities – 3,000 parks across 245 cities.
Its metrics include reviews of these parks mentioning the words “quiet”, “relaxing”, “tranquil,”; the popularity of each location and subsequent impact of that on its peacefulness; and average visitor rating. Through these metrics, the organization assessed a Quiet Score.
The study found that the most peaceful place in Texas is the Fort Worth Japanese Garden with a Quiet Score of 8.66. This score would make it the 7th most peaceful place in the United States. The most peaceful place in the country, according to the study, is Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden in Spokane, Washington.
This past year, Southern Living named the Fort Worth Japanese Garden as one of the most beautiful gardens in the South – the only Texas garden to make the list.
“A standout feature is the 7.5-acre Japanese Garden, where meandering paths wind beneath cherry and magnolia trees, and koi gracefully swim in serene ponds,” Southern Living’s publication reads.
“In fall, Japanese maples canopy the walks with swaths of tangerine-hued leaves. Also in the facility’s 120-acre site is the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
Earth.fm found that the noisiest city in the United States is Boston, Massachusetts. The noisiest city in Texas, according to the study, is Laredo.