March 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 37

communities that have lower rates of participation in nature-based recreation. This
is due to the inaccessible locations of many
parks and open areas. The ability to access
neighborhood public spaces has a profound
impact on the poor, those with limited mobility and children. Easily accessed, nearby
public spaces are very important for such
vulnerable populations who may not have
a personal vehicle, a situation made even
more acute in neighborhoods with few
public transportation options. Studies have
also shown that youth in low-income neighborhoods rely more heavily on local public
spaces and use them more frequently than
those in more affluent areas. Researchers
found that despite their need, minority
neighborhoods in Los Angeles had fewer
than 2 acres of park space per 1,000 people,
compared to more than 31 acres in white
neighborhoods.

Nearby parks also lessen environmental
justice issues by increasing neighborhood
quality of life and aesthetics through positive contexts. The heat island effect (where
heat is trapped by pavement and buildings,
causing higher temperatures in urban areas) is stronger in neighborhoods with low
tree canopy cover, and recent studies in
Cleveland showed these were often poor
and minority neighborhoods. Other research demonstrated the negative cumulative effects of overlapping environmental
and social hazards experienced by vulnerable communities. These things highlight
the ongoing issues of environmental and
social justice and the need to locate parks
near people, particularly in poor neighborhoods. An equitable provision of local
parks is one way to lessen the disparity between wealthy and poor neighborhoods by
enhancing neighborhood assets. Well-de-

signed parks that are accessible, specific,
authentic, adaptable and functional can
provide social space and the yards and
playgrounds children need to stimulate
imaginative, creative play, while helping foster a more positive outlook on life.
Therefore, planners and parks departments
should determine where parks are missing
within their communities, and develop
plans to alleviate imbalances.
Note: This article is adapted from professor Currie's 2017 article titled " A Design
Framework for Small Parks in Ultra-Urban,
Metropolitan, Suburban, and Small Town
Settings, " published in volume (22)1 of The
Journal of Urban Design.
Melissa A. Currie, Ph.D., RLA, is an Assistant
Professor of Community Development at the
University at Albany, State University of New York and
a licensed landscape architect (mcurrie@albany.edu).

W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G | M A R C H 2 0 1 7 |

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March 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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