Water-based recreation as critical community infrastructure
When temperatures rise, children and families across the country seek relief in the water—at local swimming pools, lakes, beaches, and/or splash pads. Yet for many communities, especially those that have been historically underserved, access to water-based recreation remains limited or nonexistent. While some residents enjoy the privilege of regular trips to the beach or afternoons at a swimming pool, other residents are left without any safe or affordable options close to home. This disparity is deeply concerning, given the well-documented benefits of water-based recreation for physical health, mental well-being, social connection, and climate resilience.
Water-based recreation should not be considered a luxury. It is a public health and environmental justice issue that demands attention. As climate change brings more frequent and intense heat waves, the need for equitable access to water amenities has become increasingly urgent. Families in both urban neighborhoods and rural communities face the consequences of having no nearby splash pad, pool, or natural body of water where they can safely cool off and play.
A Closer Look At Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County offers a revealing case study. Despite its size and diversity, many of the county’s communities still lack access to basic water-based recreational amenities. In 2021, the County’s Chief Sustainability Office conducted a Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) to identify communities most at risk from climate-related hazards such as extreme heat, wildfire, flooding, and drought. Further analyses indicate that communities most vulnerable to climate impacts are often also areas lacking adequate park space and water-based recreational amenities, contributing to compounded health and environmental disparities.
Similarly, in 2022, the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) completed the Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+), which analyzed regional and rural recreation needs, including identifying areas with disproportionately low access to water-based recreation. These areas tend to be home to lower-income households, higher concentrations of children and older adults, and limited park infrastructure. While ocean beach access may exist in theory, in practice it is often out of reach for many inland residents. Long travel distances, limited public-transit options, parking fees, and lack of available facilities all serve as barriers—whether one lives in East Los Angeles, Antelope Valley, or elsewhere.
Inland Water Bodies
Inland lake beaches hold particular importance in L.A. County, where ocean access remains limited for many residents. Places like Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area, and Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park offer vital opportunities for families to swim, picnic, and enjoy nature without traveling to the coast. These regional parks help fill a critical gap by providing affordable, family-friendly water access in areas that otherwise face multiple barriers, including geographic and economic challenges.
However, the ability to create or expand access to lake beaches and other water bodies is constrained by factors such as geography, land use, water quality, and environmental regulations. In some areas, existing water bodies may not be suitable or safe for public use due to pollution or adjacent industrial activity.
Lake beaches also are not available everywhere, and even where they exist, they may not fully meet the need for everyday neighborhood-scale water access. This is where amenities such as splash pads and public pools become especially important, offering more adaptable and scalable options to reach underserved communities.
Splash pads are generally more affordable to build and maintain than swimming pools, require less space, and can be integrated into existing parks and community centers. Despite these advantages—and their growing popularity—access remains highly uneven. According to the Trust for Public Land, more than 100 million people in the U.S., including 28 million children, do not live within a 10-minute walk of a park. And among those who do, even fewer have access to water-based features like pools or splash pads. In Los Angeles, for example, there are only 1.6 public pools and 0.4 splash pads per 100,000 residents.
More Than Recreation
Water access is about more than recreation. It is closely tied to health, equity, and resilience. Communities with safe and accessible places to cool down are better prepared for extreme heat events. Children who learn to swim and engage with water environments gain lifelong safety skills and build healthier habits. Water features also provide mental-health benefits and help reduce the heat island effect. These amenities should be treated as essential community assets—not optional enhancements.
Yet, even as the need for cooling infrastructure and green space becomes more urgent, many local governments lack the resources to respond. Water-based recreational facilities are frequently among the first items to be postponed or scaled back when budgets tighten, even though investments in parks and recreation are known to yield significant savings in areas such as public health, crime prevention, and emergency response.
Recommendations For Broader Impact
Grounded in lessons from L.A. County, the following recommendations can help inform action in communities across the country:
- Invest In A Variety Of Water-Based Recreation Facilities
Local governments should consider and implement a range of options—public swimming pools, splash pads, and other water features—that can be adapted to community needs, geography, and climate. These facilities provide important relief during hot weather and promote year-round well-being.
- Use Equity-Centered Planning Tools
State and local agencies should utilize tools like L.A. County’s CVA and PNA+ to identify areas of greatest need and guide investments accordingly. These tools help ensure that funding reaches the communities that stand to benefit the most.
- Integrate Water Recreation Into Climate And Infrastructure Initiatives
Water-based features can serve multiple purposes by addressing recreation, stormwater capture, heat mitigation, and even biodiversity. Incorporating them into climate resilience and green infrastructure projects increases both efficiency and impact.
- Expand Public Transit Access To Beaches
Access to coastal and lakefront areas should not be limited to those with private vehicles. Expanding and promoting programs like L.A. County’s Beach Bus can advance equitable access to beaches, especially for inland residents. Transit solutions should be affordable, reliable, and tailored to the needs of those historically excluded from shoreline recreation.
- Support Inclusive Programming And Water Safety Education
Building infrastructure is not enough. Communities must also fund culturally relevant programs, provide swimming instruction, and deliver water-safety education—particularly in areas where historical exclusion or limited exposure to aquatic environments persists. Programs like DPR’s Lifeguard Ready Training (LRT) help prepare youth from underserved communities for careers in aquatics while promoting water safety and expanding representation at public pools.
- Ensure Sustained And Flexible Public Investment
At a time of shifting federal priorities and economic uncertainty, consistent funding from all levels of government is essential. Flexible, equity-focused investments—especially those that support disadvantaged and climate-vulnerable communities—can help close longstanding gaps in access.
A Path Forward
Expanding access to water-based recreation is not only a matter of fairness—it requires a fundamental shift in mindset. These amenities must not be seen as extras, but as essential infrastructure for community health, equity, and resilience. As climate challenges grow more severe and disparities persist, communities need safe, welcoming water spaces more than ever. By investing in these critical assets, we can promote well-being, foster connection, and build lasting resilience for generations to come.
