Mujeres de la Tierra

Invest Park Funds in Park Poor and Economically Poor Communities

posted: March 13, 2009
http://www.cityprojectca.org/blog/archives/1332

A diverse and growing alliance supports the distribution of park funds to achieve healthy,  livable communities for all the people of California. We look forward to working with the California Department of Parks and Recreation to ensure that park funds reach the most park poor and economically poor communities through the proposed guidelines, the implementation of AB 31, and compliance with equal justice laws. This will fulfill the intent of the legislation and meet the needs of the voters who have passed park resource bonds for the past ten years.

Park funds should be allocated based on need not greed. Under a standard that targets communities with the greatest need first, park projects should receive top priority based on park poverty and economic poverty combined. Park poverty is less than three acres of parks per thousand residents, under the draft guidelines.

Economic poverty is under $47,959 median household income. Prioritizing park poverty and economic poverty combined will help achieve equal justice in access to public resources for the most underserved communities, based on race, ethnicity, and income under civil rights and environmental justice laws.

People of color and low income people throughout California disproportionately suffer from unfair disparities in access to park, school, and health resources, and suffer disproportionately from child obesity and other diseases related to the lack of places for physical activity and healthy eating. Investments in parks and schools in the most underserved communities are an important part of any green economic stimulus, public works and infrastructure program.

Map 2001 shows the communities that are park poor and economically poor, and are disproportionately populated by people of color, in the hatched red hot spots. Using park poverty alone without economic poverty will not accomplish these important public policy goals of improving the quality of life, health, and environment for the most underserved communities.

The guidelines should provide as follows: (1) Projects in communities that are both park poor and economically poor should receive top priority over other projects. (2) Human health including obesity and diabetes levels should be a significant factor in determining “Community Challenges and Project Benefits,” “Challenges,” and “Youth at High Risk,” and projects addressing health should receive significant priority. (3) Projects should receive significant priority for joint use of park and school facilities. (4) The guidelines should explicitly call for compliance with state and federal civil rights laws guaranteeing equal access to public resources, not just the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). See Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its regulations, the President’s Order on Environmental Justice, California Government Code 11135 and its regulations, and the California statutory definition of environmental justice, Government Code 65040.12. (5) The guidelines should implement principles of equitable development: invest in people, invest in stronger communities, invest in the open, invest in justice.

We have an important opportunity to define and implement standards for equity to measure progress and hold officials accountable and to transform California into a more livable, democratic, and just place to live and raise children. We look forward to working with the Department of Parks and Recreation to meet these goals.

California Center for Public Health Advocacy • California Pan Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) • César E. Chávez Institute, San Francisco State University • The City Project • Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles • Mujeres de la Tierra • PolicyLink • Prevention Institute • SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center)

Download the Public Comments and Policy Brief.  http://tinyurl.com/c7j2ek
Download the full Policy Report on Healthy Parks, Schools and Communities for All: Park Development and Community Revitalization.  http://tinyurl.com/coljyt

Top 5 Things to Help State Parks NOW

As of Labor Day 2009, California’s state park system will do something unprecedented – it will close the doors to almost 100 state parks.  This action comes after months of state budget fights where park advocates beat back an original proposal to close 220 parks.  Yet this final result is still devastating to Californians who rely on their state parks.  You can help.  Here are 5 simple things you can do to help Save Our Parks.

Visit a state park.  The best way to show support for state parks is to go out and visit them, and get reminded about what wonderful resources they are for recreation, education and relaxation!

Pay the entrance fees.  It’s easy to forget to pay those day fees when it’s on the honor system, or to park outside the park.  But our parks need our help, our support, and our money, please help by paying the fees!

Contact your state legislator.  Your elected officials have an important role to play in making budget decisions for our state parks, and need to hear from you.  Visit the online action center at www.calparks.org to find your legislator’s contact information.

Stay informed.   Become part of the Save Our Parks (SOS) Campaign by visiting www. Savestateparks.org to receive up-to-date information about budget changes and state park news.

Activate friends and family.  There’s plenty of room in the big tent of park supporters for more! Spread the word by forwarding our emails or inviting your friends to join the SOS Campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

Save Our State Parks Campaign (a campaign of the California State Parks Foundation)

1510 Street, Suite 120 Sacramento, CA 95814 · (916) 442-2219