Invest Park Funds in Park Poor and Economically Poor Communities

The undersigned diverse and growing alliance have submitted public comments to invest park funds to park poor and economically poor communities.

Park funds should be allocated based on need, not greed. Under a standard that targets communities with the greatest need first, need should be measured in terms of park poverty (less than 3 acres of parks per thousand residents) and economic poverty (below $45,326 household income) combined. Targeting 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.

We look forward to working with the California Department of Recreation and Parks to achieve these important public policy goals of improving the quality of life, health, and environment for underserved communities throughout California.