December 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 23

The Equity Pledge emphasizes four
" A's " : allies, advocates, accomplices and
apprentices.
with an equity lens on an ongoing
basis. This is not a " one-anddone "
type of project.
* Provide trainings and resources
for individuals as needed.
After communicating expectations,
there will be staff and/or
decision-makers who need support,
additional resources and
conversations to help address
existing and identified biases
and structural system changes
that are needed. Each individual
and organization is likely at a
different level of understanding
on different elements of DEI.
* Incorporate inclusive and representative
staff and community
engagement in all practices
and programs. Conduct
demographic research and
identify priority communities
and geographies for targeted
outreach and engagement.
Who lives in your community?
Demographics are changing
rapidly. What populations
are underrepresented? Are you
reaching out to all segments of
your population? Is your marketing
and program participation
reaching all segments? If
you don't currently have strong
representation on staff, can you
work with and compensate
other community organizations
and partners to make sure
you are reaching out, building
trust and hearing the needs of
those you serve? Strong community
engagement processes
and needs assessments should
at least be part of master planning
efforts every five years, but
community engagement should
be an ongoing, authentic process
with dedicated time and
resources.
* Conduct an equity analysis of
your offerings. This includes
assessing equitable access, safety
and availability of places
and programs for all residents
to get preventive health benefits
through what we provide. This
can include spaces and education
for physical activity, nutrition,
increasing social engagement,
reducing stress/addictive
behaviors through positive activities,
and conservation. Assessing
local public health data related
to rates of chronic disease,
life expectancy, health behaviors
and other indicators of health
can help you identify where
places and programs should be
prioritized to address disparities.
* Identify needs and action
items. We can visually show
where the gaps are in equity
of services using componentbased
inventories of our programs,
lands and facilities,
and levels of service analyses.
Once we know what exists, we
can create plans to fix the gaps.
The map on page 22 provides
an example of how Mesa, Arizona,
has identified and is addressing
gaps in equitable service,
using walkability as one
key indicator.
3. Keep in mind unintended consequences.
We know that park
improvements
can provide
positive preventive health benefits
and economic return on
investment, especially through
increased property values as
the quality of neighborhoods
improves. However, this also
can work to decrease equity if
we are not mindful and don't
plan with consideration
these impacts.
of
Representative and equitable focus
on expectations, community
engagement, planning and ongoing
analysis of outcomes will help educate
our professionals and create
an improved culture. We should
listen to all of the voices that need
to be heard and provide better services
to our communities.
Teresa L. Penbrooke, Ph.D., CPRE, is Director of the Healthy
Communities Research Group for GP RED and Co-Director, Parks and
Recreation Emerging Professionals Program for University of Colorado
- Denver School of Public Affairs Institute (teresap@gpred.org).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | DECEMBER 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
23
IMAGE COURTESY OF GP RED
December 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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