Many older urban areas, especially communities of color, lack access to parks and recreation resources. This research project will examine disparities in access to park/recreational opportunities within metropolitan areas in southern California. Existing disparities will be related to location differences in urban landscape and development history, diverse leisure preferences, environmental injustice, and fiscal capacity of cities and nonprofits. Researchers will use park facilities audits and telephone and mail surveys to determine access to park and recreation resources. Census data will be used to classify neighborhood populations and built environments in terms of socio-economic status. An analysis of federal, state, county and city park bond/grant funding requirements will also be performed to highlight ways that policy design may improve or worsen access disparities.
