By Rebecca Deegan, Outdoors For All Campaign Organizer in Philadelphia and Southeastern PA
Who has access to outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania? To begin this conversation we must first acknowledge that “permission” and “access” are not the same. Many Pennsylvanians are shut out of quality outdoor spaces because of various systematic barriers that prevent safe access. Even as we have seen record increases in attendance to parks across the state, we continue to see huge disparities in diversity and accessibility to these spaces.
Below are some of the most pervasive barriers in the field of outdoor recreation that inhibit the equal and just use of parks, and some ideas for how we may combat them together. Please note that these examples are painted with broad strokes, and that this list is not comprehensive. Individual organizations will face challenges that are as unique as their communities.
Transportation
Organizations and state parks must identify the unique needs of the audiences they serve. Are there any public transportation options near your park? Can you advocate for a bus stop? Are you close to a city, allowing for a City Bike station?
If your space is close to a transportation stop, how accessible is that distance between the station and your park? Are there sidewalks? Is the area safe for children?
Where applicable, consider having some free public transportation initiatives to encourage people to come out, knowing that they won’t incur the burden of a transit expense.
Reducing the need for private auto transportation to access a park will not only drastically heighten accessibility and inclusion, but will also benefit environmental health and reduce pollution.
Safety
Within a city it’s easy to pinpoint some of the daily aggressions that make parks feel unsafe. Municipal neglect of certain spaces leads to violent crime, over-policing, illegal trash dumping, homelessness, and drug presence – all glaring reasons why outdoor spaces aren’t well attended. When communities can’t engage with their park, unused spaces become crime sites. Without a community safety plan in place, increased police presence becomes the default, and perhaps counterproductive, means to promote order.
In Philadelphia, although approximately 95 percent of residents “live within a 10-minute walk of a city park,” according to a new report from the Trust for Public Land (1), and the amount of green space available to residents varies greatly based on income and race” (3).
There is a disparity between which parks receive funding and which ones don’t. This is why when we talk about access to outdoor spaces, we need to emphasize the importance of safe access to quality spaces — not just a one-size-fits-all approach to the availability of any space with a little bit of grass.
Most Pennsylvania state parks are located in rural parts of the state. These parks are highly desirable to outdoor enthusiasts, with their ample hiking trails, serene natural landscape and abundant wildlife. But having driven to plenty of these spaces, I know firsthand that the properties along the drive are often peppered with paraphernalia (such as confederate flags) that traditionally represent hateful rhetoric and violence. Residents might explore how polarizing signage or certain language on their property creates a message that some people will not be welcomed or safe in an area (2).
While some barriers will not be broken down by individual organizations, one can certainly input some creative measures to offset these concerns. Comprehensive websites, so people can research an area prior to arrival, numbers to call for assistance, (call boxes and/or broadband maps that show where service is available if there are dead spots on your property) and educational safety tips for lone hikers, are all good starts.
The presence of dogs in a park is a safety measure that should be approached with care. Many lone hikers may rely on their dogs for safety. However, dogs can and have historically been used as a tool to further intimidate and oppress. Offering closed sections of property or certain trails where leashed dogs might be allowed might increase the feeling of safety in a space.
A well-lit, well-maintained parking lot encourages a feeling of safety as soon as a visitor pulls into a park. A list of nearby amenities — gas stations, hospitals, hotels, food service — available as a brochure or at least on a bulletin board, will help people feel less isolated.
Perhaps one of the most effective actions to increase safety and welcoming into a space for all is diverse representation of all staff – rangers, visitor’s center staff, educators and programmers, and so on.
Inclusivity
Another straightforward action is reassessing park signage, trail or location names, statues and other paraphernalia that may be rooted in racist, sexist, or derogatory language and history. Renaming and removal is an action that will tell community members that a park, city, county, state, or organization values inclusion and equity above outdated rhetoric and tradition. Furthermore, including community members in the renaming process will build partnerships with those who use your facilities.
One example is the decision of Fox Chapel Borough’s Council in Allegheny County to rename a hiking trail and a few street names after a petition created by a Native American woman called for the derogatorily-named entities to be removed (5).
How much does a park’s programming represent its community? Consider implementing diverse programming that includes activities historically deemed “of lesser value” in outdoor enthusiast culture. Designating safe, accessible spaces for activities, complimented by environmental education, might encourage people to connect with nature in their own way (which undoubtedly is their right) while ultimately promoting long term land stewardship. What connects people in your community to nature culturally? Does your park have language barriers that make attendance inaccessible?
A great example of creative enhanced accessibility is Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s enactment of the Visual Impairment Program, “to put in place the necessary measurements, such as accessible signage and staff training measures, to make the space friendly for the vision impaired” (4).
We must beware of the easier, “performative” actions that have become so popular recently — anti-racist social media posts are a fine start, but plan on walking the walk with actionable, concrete goals that will identify and break down your park’s unique barriers to safety. Barriers to outdoor access are taken down fastest with money and resources.
Cost
Pennsylvania State Parks are free, which is not true of many other states’ parks in the country and thus a huge step in the right direction. For parks with an entry fee, consider opportunities to reduce or eliminate fees – if not permanently, then on certain, frequent, well-advertised days. The National Park Service, for example, has designated “Fee Free Day” throughout the year, listed on their website.
Should fee elimination feel out of reach, how can we engage our communities to help each other access parks? Consider a pay-what-you-wish initiative, or a “pay it forward” initiative, where people could donate the amount of a fee in advance for a future someone who can’t afford the fee.
Entry fees notwithstanding, costs like transportation (gas, tolls, etc), outdoor clothing, gear and equipment, and the free time needed to spend time outdoors or pick up an outdoor hobby undoubtedly rack up far more costs than a single park entry fee. Some parks might offer limited gear rental or lending programs; for instance, Nescopeck and Promised Land State Parks offer snowshoe loans, but this information can be difficult to find if you aren’t in the know already. Parks could consider a similar, well-advertised gear and equipment loaning program to advance the accessibility of recreational activities.
Outdoor Organizations and park systems must be intentional in their plans to increase outdoor access to those who historically have been excluded or unwelcome in the field. After all, it is the responsibility of those who manage outdoor spaces to ensure equitable and just circumstances for all human beings to exercise their right to connect with nature.
This blog was included as part of the March 2022 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!