July 2020 - Parks & Recreation - 29

must serve as a venue for black life
and its celebration.
Violent and discriminatory actions - de jure and de facto - of
slavery, Jim Crow segregation,
redlining, blockbusting, property
theft, intimidation and outright
massacres not only robbed black
people of their own homes and
spaces, but also relegated their rich
and varied relationships with nature to the invisible outskirts of U.S.
parks, agriculture, gardening, outdoor recreation and environmentalism. What remains in those spaces
are ignorance and racial bias.
A black comic book writer and
biomedical editor birdwatching in
America's most iconic urban park
asks a white woman to please leash
her dog, per park policy, in order
to preserve fragile bird habitat. She
responds by calling the police to
report an " African American man
threatening her life. "
A white woman strolling along a
lakeshore calls the police, twice over
several hours, to report a black family barbequing, saying " I'm really
scared! You gotta come quick! "
Youth residents in a public health
and parks focus group share that
" We don't go to that park because
the white people call the cops on us. "
One way that park leaders and
public land managers can support
black, indigenous and people of
color (BIPOCs) is through authentic partnerships with and support
of local black-led community organizations, affinity groups and
chapters that already prioritize the
experiences of BIPOCs. The experience of a black child or adult
outdoors - and all of the wisdom
that comes with it - naturally defies the dominant narrative.
* @BlackAFinSTEM is a national group of black nature-lovers,

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scientists and friends, combating
false narratives that the natural
world is a white space and uplifts
black outdoorspeople. They recently hosted Black Birders Week.
Brown Girls Climb establishes a
community of climbers of color
and increases the visibility of diversity in climbing.
GirlTrek encourages community
walking teams grounded in a civil
rights-inspired health movement.
International Federation of
Black Bass Anglers continues a
long tradition of fishing among
black families and connects urban
kids to fishing experiences.
Melanin Base Camp works to increase the visibility of outdoorsy
BIPOCs in the media, advertising
and the stories we tell ourselves.
National African American RV-

er's Association seeks to ensure
that members and their friends
have fun RV camping experiences.
* Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires black connections and leadership in nature.
City Kids Wilderness Project creates a space for black children and
youth to be and breathe. We focus on
participants' resiliency, experiences,
skills and ability to thrive through relationships with each other and the
outdoors. Our young leaders show
their joy and ability in nature, and
enliven and restore public spaces.
Parks and public spaces must remake themselves as sanctuaries for
all and become places where black
people and all people can celebrate,
heal and breathe.
Priya Cook is Alumni Engagement and Success Partner for
City Kids Wilderness Project (priya@citykidsdc.org).

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Parks & Recreation

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July 2020 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2020 - Parks & Recreation
