November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 39

or
addressing
other dimensions,
in PRSMPs can be accomplished.
While a critical eye is needed when
using the approaches put forth here,
as suggested by David P. Varady's
book review of Parks and recreation
system planning: A new approach for
creating sustainable, resilient communities
(tinyurl.com/2s32bvj2), the
reinvention of traditional system
master planning processes is critical
for preventing green displacement
and ensuring equitable access
to quality parks.
Equity at Risk
We must examine gentrifying areas
of the United States and understand
their acceleration, the vulnerability
of populations living within them
and displaced from them, and the
equity concerns resulting from
processes happening within these
areas. Focusing research on gentrified
neighborhoods is important
and valuable for organizing and
planning government services that
properly meet the needs of communities
and create equitable futures.
Most gentrified communities,
based on 2010 U.S. Census data, are
diverse with a total of 63 percent
Black, Asian and Hispanic community
members and 37 percent white
non-Hispanic community members,
according to NCRC. These demographic
statistics pose concerns of
racial equity and injustice. Understanding
whether a community has
gentrified, is gentrifying or is vulnerable
to gentrification is important
- as these areas are increasingly the
place of residence for many people
in the United States and is a foundational
piece of planning equitably.
As park improvements and enhancements
are planned across the
country in the studied metro areas,
the impact of these plans on remaining
underserved residents of
these cities should be considered.
Plans for more recently gentrifying
cities or growing cities should be
the focus of a future study. Across
the country, planners and elected
officials have an obligation and responsibility
to the populations they
serve to create policies, programs
and opportunities that equitably incorporate
all people. The American
Institute of Certified Planners Code
of Ethics and Professional Conduct
states, in reference to people
who have been marginalized and
disadvantaged, that planners are to
" [u]rge the alteration of policies, institutions,
and decisions that do not
help meet their needs. " The problems
of today are too grave to study
and address in silos; cities know too
well that this approach will lead to
dead ends and tragic cycles.
A Need for Change
The findings show that despite documented
gentrification taking place,
and at times, green displacement,
park and recreation agencies still have
limited plans for working to prevent
inaccessibility of the local park and
recreation amenities due to displacement.
Few actions were put forth
across all the studied plans. While recognizing
that cities may not be representing
their existing work thoroughly
in a PRSMP, the limited attention to
green gentrification when planning
green infrastructure in these rapidly
gentrifying cities raises flags.
Just as park and recreation services
provide benefits and help cities move
closer to achieving strategic goals,
park and recreation agencies need
to take proactive steps to consider
how to prevent further gentrification
through park creation and enhancements,
as well as build partnerships,
policies and programs that secure
lasting access to park developments.
While working to determine these
steps, cities should consider existing
literature from similar contexts and
prioritize community voices and input,
rather than assume common
trends that are decontextualized.
Several plans demonstrate that
community members see gentrification,
affordable housing and displacement
as pressing concerns in
their communities. Engaging with
community members shares critical
insight into the improvements needed,
even ones that may be contrary
to common trends and popular standards
in planning. If park and recreation
agencies ignore these immediate
needs and potential consequences,
they may run the risk of losing their
potential as vehicles for community
improvement and drivers of positive
change in their wider context.
There are many potential reasons
why the lack of actions established
in plans may exist. Cities and agencies
may be limited by policy as to
their scope of work or their ability
to work with other departments.
This report may speak to the need
for additional education, accountability
and incentives for the field
in the housing dimension of park
planning and provides an impetus
for incorporating frameworks and
strategies identified in this study,
such as the " New Approach, " " The
Excellent City Park System, " and
" Park Infrastructure and Park System
Planning. " Government leaders
should work to reduce the burden
on community organizations
and act through education and policy
change to create more equitable
communities when greening.
Author's Note: Read more about the
use and limitations of the methodology
in the full-length professional report
(tinyurl.com/5cukm8x6).
Estrella Sainburg, M.S., is Trail Planner,
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic
Trail (estrella.sainburg@utexas.edu).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 3
| Parks & Recreation
39
http://tinyurl.com/2s32bvj2 http://tinyurl.com/5cukm8x6
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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