Justice in access to the outdoors

Taylor, Kelly D.; Gonzalez, J.; Razani, Nooshin

doi:10.5070/p537151705

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Research has shown that historically marginalized and socially vulnerable populations are more likely to experience the physical and mental health impacts of COVID-19 (Fortuna et al, 2020;Kim and Bostwick, 2020). Our evidence supports assertions that, within these communities, limited and diminishing use of park spaces during the pandemic could potentially widen health these disparities (Honey-Rosés et al, 2020;Taylor et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Urban Park Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Socially Vulnerable Communities Disproportionately Impacted?

Larson

Zhang

et al. 2021

Front. Sustain. Cities

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The COVID-19 pandemic altered human behavior around the world. To maintain mental and physical health during periods of lockdown and quarantine, people often engaged in outdoor, physically distanced activities such as visits to parks and greenspace. However, research tracking outdoor recreation patterns during the pandemic has yielded inconsistent results, and few studies have explored the impacts of COVID-19 on park use across diverse neighborhoods. We used a mixed methods approach to examine changes in park use patterns in cities across North Carolina, USA, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on impacts in socially vulnerable communities (based on racial/ethnic composition and socioeconomic status). First, we surveyed a demographically representative sample of 611 urban residents during August 2020 to assess their use of outdoor park spaces before and during the pandemic. Second, we used cell phone location (i.e., geo-tracking) data to document changes in park visits within 605 socioeconomically diverse urban census tracts before (July 2019) and during (July 2020) the pandemic. Data from both methods revealed urban park use declined during the pandemic; 56% of survey respondents said they stopped or reduced park use, and geo-tracked park visits dropped by 15%. Park users also became more homogenous, with visits increasing the most for past park visitors and declining the most in socially vulnerable communities and among individuals who were BIPOC or lower-income. Our results raise concerns about urban park use during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest pre-existing health disparities in socially vulnerable communities might be exacerbated by inequitable access and utilization of parks and greenspace.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Urban Park Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Socially Vulnerable Communities Disproportionately Impacted?

Larson

Zhang

et al. 2021

Front. Sustain. Cities

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“…While White participants were primarily concerned about hypodermic needles and strangers with mental health challenges, POC people talked about being afraid of violence and for their very lives while spending time in parks. This finding complements other research in adult populations indicating that public green spaces are perceived as a setting for violence for communities of color [23,57]. Fourth, we prioritized identifying solutions that would allow children to spend more time outside.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Outdoor Time in Childhood: A Mixed Methods Approach to Identify Barriers and Opportunities for Intervention in a Racially and Ethnically Mixed Population

Haakenstad,

Butcher,

Noonan

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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A growing body of literature suggests that outdoor time is beneficial for physical and mental health in childhood. Profound disparities exist in access to outdoor spaces (and the health benefits thereof) for children in communities of color. The objectives of this research were to: (1) identify challenges and solutions to outdoor time for children; (2) assess the importance of outdoor time for children; and (3) evaluate results stratified by race/ethnicity. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, we conducted a thematic analysis from 14 focus groups (n = 50) with outdoor educators, parents with children attending outdoor preschools, and community members with children. In addition, 49 participants completed a survey to identify challenges and solutions, perceived importance, and culturally relevant perspectives of outdoor time. The main challenges identified for outdoor time were safety concerns, inclement weather, lack of access to outdoor spaces, and parent work schedules. The primary proposed solution was integrating outdoor time into the school day. Nearly all participants, independent of racial identity, reported that outdoor time improved physical and mental health. Overall outdoor time was lower in participants from communities of color (~8 h/week) compared to their White counterparts (~10 h/week). While 50% of people of color (POC) reported that outdoor time was an important cultural value, only 18% reported that people in their respective culture spent time outside. This work contributes to accumulating knowledge that unique barriers to outdoor time exist for communities of color, and the children that live, learn, and play in these communities. Increasing outdoor time in school settings offers a potential solution to reduce identified barriers and to promote health equity in childhood.

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“…Pointedly, landscape-scale conservation relies on the public's continued support for parks as an idea-an idea favorable to the majority but falling short of fulfilling "in perpetuity" obligations to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. All have reasons to be suspicious and fearful of the outdoors and parks (Byrne 2009;Taylor 2021;Davis and Edge 2022). Making parks welcome and safe spaces for everyone requires an exorcism of racism, intolerance, and bias in systems design, policy, and practice.…”

Section: All Things Are Connectedmentioning

confidence: 99%