October 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 59

By kellie May

PUBLI C H E ALTH

Access to Parks:
Barriers in Rural Communities

T

oDay, Roughly tWo-thiRDs of u.s. countiEs and one-fifth of the

photo top: shuttERstock

population are considered rural by the Transportation Research
Board. While rural communities have been defi ned in different ways
(Census 2000 Urban and Rural Classification: www.census.gov/geo/www/ua/
ua_2k.html and the U.S. Department of Agriculture: www.ers.usda.gov/briefi ng/rurality/RuralUrbCon/), research shows that residents living in rural communities often
have poorer health, including higher rates of obesity than those living in more urbanized areas (www.raconline.org/info_guides/obesity/; http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/
help/CMF/Urbanization-Methodology.html).
These communities face unique challenges, such
as a lack of public transportation and poor physical
infrastructure, when working to reduce the rates of
obesity and related chronic diseases by increasing
opportunities for physical activity. Park and recreation agencies are helping their communities overcome these challenges.
Rural communities are often spread out over large
sections of land where biking and walking are not
available modes of transportation. Lack of safe and
affordable public transportation is a major challenge
in rural communities. Some rural communities simply do not have a public transportation system, while
others may have limited public transportation options
available. This limits the number of opportunities residents have to engage in physical activity, including
having access to public parks. In addition, the physical infrastructure in many rural communities does not
support walking and biking. Lack of sidewalks, bike
lanes, and crosswalks may limit the ability of residents to safely walk or bike to a park. Park and recreation agencies across the nation are contributing
to overcoming these challenges and improving the
health of residents living in rural communities.
The City of Pipestone, Minnesota, an " isolated "
rural community with a population of 4,300 people,
is challenged with having to enhance its physical
infrastructure to improve levels of physical activity
for its residents. Located more than 40 miles from a

regional city center, the city's residents are at great
risk for physical inactivity, with a large percentage
of low income residents that are often underserved.
The city also has a long established Native American
population and a growing number of Hispanic residents, populations that have historically been at risk
for higher rates of diabetes and obesity. To address
these challenges, the city is increasing non-motorized transportation infrastructure in the community,
including sidewalks, bike lanes, shared use paths,
and crosswalks. On February 7, 2011, the City Council unanimously passed a Complete Streets resolution requiring the city to plan and support all modes
of transportation, including walking and biking. This
resolution will increase the number of opportunities for physical activity in the community. Agencies
from across the city, including representatives from
the Pipestone Park and Recreation Department, were
instrumental in passing the resolution and educating
the City Council on the importance of supporting increased opportunities for walking and biking.
To complement the efforts of the council and increase residents' awareness of opportunities for walking and biking, Pipestone Active Living also hosts a
number of events throughout the summer to give
residents a chance to increase their physical activity.
They held a bicycling event in July which showcased
a 5-mile mixed use path which residents can use to
safely walk and bike. They also have a Free Range

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October 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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