Why Park Equity Matters

Parks and green spaces play an important role in building healthy, thriving communities. They provide spaces for recreation, relaxation, social interaction, and connection with nature. 

Unfortunately, access to these green spaces isn’t the same for everyone. Today, due to historical practices like residential segregation and uneven investment across neighborhoods, low-income and minority communities often have less access to high-quality parks compared to more affluent or predominantly white areas. 

Park equity means ensuring that parks and green spaces are fairly and justly distributed so that all communities, regardless of race or income, can enjoy the health, environmental, economic, and social benefits they provide. 

Achieving park equity requires closing gaps in access to parks so that all communities  have equal access. This requires intentional efforts to:

1. Close access gaps in underserved areas 

2. Address systemic and structural barriers 

3. Ensure communities are meaningfully involved in planning and decision making