August 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR' S LETTER
Real Equity Means Learning
From Our Past
After nearly 100 years, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
righted an egregious wrong when they recently voted 5 to 0 to return
ownership of Bruce's Beach back to the descendants of Charles and
Willa Bruce, who purchased the Manhattan Beach (California) property
in 1912. For 12 years, the Bruces owned and operated a successful
oceanfront resort that served as a popular destination for Black families
during an era of racial segregation. The Manhattan Beach City Council
abused its power when it seized the Black couple's property through
eminent domain in 1924 - claiming it as public parkland and subsequently
demolishing the beach resort. However, the land remained
untouched until 1956 when the city finally constructed a park. In June
2022, county officials reversed an action that was racially motivated,
transferring land ownership to the couple's legal heirs, great-grandsons
Marcus and Derrick Bruce, after decades of litigation.
While Bruce's Beach received national media attention, there are similar stories of racial inequity
yet to be told. Our cover story, " Unity Park, " on page 32, is one that we happily share with
you this month. Contributor Tara Eaker takes a closer look at this 60-acre park located along the
Reedy River in Greenville, South Carolina, and its historical past plagued by segregation, racial
injustice and failed infrastructure. However, not unlike Los Angeles County, City of Greenville
is trying to atone for the past with the completion of phase one of this much-needed park, which
includes " restoration of the half-mile section of the Reedy River that bisects the park " ; creation of
" gently-sloping riverbanks " for enhanced water quality; and reduction of erosion and mitigation
from potential flooding, according to Eaker. However, the most important aspect of the park's
design is its emphasis on community engagement and play equity for children.
Next, NRPA's Austin Barrett and Allison Colman discuss parks and recreation and homelessness
in the feature article, " Homelessness: How Can I Help? " on page 38. What's more, they
provide recent data that, as they put it, " shines a light on the public's views on parks and recreation's
role in addressing homelessness and which specific strategies they believe agencies should
pursue. "
Lastly, in the feature article, " Building Nature, " on page 44, author Carter L. Marshall III shows
how City of Lafayette, Colorado, developed The Inspire Trail and Nature Kids Discovery Zone
to enable " lower-income residents to engage with the natural world in a densely urbanized area. "
Stories like Bruce's Beach and Unity Park serve as a reminder that if we - as the park and recreation
profession - want to make a real difference in our work, we must learn from our past and
be more intentional in our park and recreation planning, in order to create a more equitable future
for our communities and to prevent us from repeating the wrongs of our historical past.
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
VICE PRESIDENT OF
COMMUNICATIONS AND CHIEF
MARKETING OFFICER
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND
DIRECTOR OF PRINT AND
ONLINE CONTENT
Vitisia Paynich
vpaynich@nrpa.org
MANAGING EDITOR
Lindsay Hogeboom
lhogeboom@nrpa.org
MANAGER OF ONLINE
CONTENT
Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen
jnguyen@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Kim Mabon/Creative By Design
CreativeByDesign.net
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
703.858.4635
mdellner@nrpa.org
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER EASTERN
REGION AND EUROPE
Paul Semple
916.880.5225
psemple@nrpa.org
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Melissa Hunter
703.858.2199
mhunter@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dreamstime.com or NRPA
(unless otherwise noted)
VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Director, Print and Online Content
10 Parks & Recreation | A UGUS T 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Anthony-Paul Diaz, Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Ryan Eaker
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert, CPRP
Tim Herd, CPRE
Denise Johnson-Caldwell
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP
Michele Lemons
Sarah Lisiecki
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
Paula Sliefert
Shonnda Smith, CPRP, AFO
Ronnetta Spalding
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
Amelia Storer
http://www.CreativeByDesign.net http://www.Dreamstime.com
August 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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