How Local Parks Promote Equitable Outdoor Access

A recent study conducted by Jon Christensen from UCLA and Dan Rademacher from GreenInfo Network highlights the significant disparities in access to local parks across six U.S. states—Arizona, California, Georgia, Montana, New Mexico, and Washington. Their analysis revealed that approximately 23 million residents in these states live without a park within a 10-minute walk from home. While many live within driving distance of regional parks, the study emphasized that true equitable access to nature requires more than physical proximity. It calls for culturally relevant programming, improved infrastructure, and increased transit connectivity.

The researchers were surprised to find that a considerable number of people in the studied states had access to regional parks. While neighborhood parks have a strong link to positive health outcomes, regional parks can still contribute to closing the nature gap. They identified several critical actions to improve access: creating more new local parks, making infrastructure investments, and providing public transportation options. They also emphasized that equity goes beyond park availability—it is essential that parks are welcoming and accessible to diverse communities.

One of the standout solutions from the study was the concept of outdoor equity funds, which provide grants to local organizations dedicated to improving access for underserved communities. The study’s parkaccess.org tool helps identify park-poor areas, assisting public lands managers and advocacy groups in targeting their efforts. By leveraging these tools and funding solutions, local governments and community groups can work together to close the nature gap more effectively.