Promoting racial equity and inclusion in recreation
By Antonio Williams
When people have access to the outdoors, they thrive. From improving mental health to increasing physical activity, the outdoors has much to offer anyone privileged to live close to a park or an open space.
Yet not all communities enjoy equal access to open space in their neighborhoods. A 2020 Center for American Progress report found that 68 percent of blacks and 67 percent of Latinos live in a nature-deprived area, while only 23 percent of whites do.
Chances are, if you live in a low-income neighborhood or a neighborhood comprised primarily of residents who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), your neighborhood lacks even basic infrastructure, like sidewalks, crosswalks, and proper lighting. How can you feel represented in recreational spaces when you have few, safe opportunities in your own community? And even if there is a park in your community, how can you feel comfortable or safe exercising free from harassment or scrutiny due to the color of your skin?