The Role of Racial Segregation and Park Availability in Physical Activity
By VINCE LARA-CINISOMO
In cities across the United States, physical activity is often promoted as a cornerstone of public health, yet disparities in access and engagement persist. Despite the well-documented benefits of leisure-time physical activity, many communities remain physically inactive. This issue is particularly pronounced in racially segregated areas, where systemic inequalities shape health outcomes.
A recent study by RST faculty members Mariela Fernandez and Miki Sato set out to explore how racial residential segregation impacts leisure-time physical activity—or LTPA—prevalence and how park availability influences this relationship. By focusing on Chicago—a city marked by stark racial divides—researchers uncovered complex dynamics that challenge the assumption that having more parks automatically leads to increased physical activity in all communities.
Fernandez said although Chicago has many parks, many older, larger ones were built downtown in a time where space wasn’t as constrained as it is today. These older, larger parks are located in neighborhoods near middle-income white populations and also serve tourists.
“(The Chicago) Park District didn't meet the demand. In some cases, African Americans and Latinos did have access to park spaces, but they didn't have the recreational amenities that were most appropriate for them,” said Fernandez. “Some (racial) groups might have more small children, but those parks might not have playgrounds, so those (parks) weren’t as relevant.”
The study aimed to answer some fundamental questions:
- Is racial residential segregation associated with LTPA prevalence?
- How is the availability of public parks associated with LTPA prevalence?
- Does it affect the relationship between racial residential segregation and LTPA prevalence?
Fernandez and Sato sought to determine whether increasing park availability could serve as an effective strategy for encouraging physical activity in segregated communities.
The Role of Racial Segregation in Physical Activity
The findings of the study revealed that racial residential segregation is indeed associated with lower levels of LTPA. Specifically, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino isolation correlated negatively with LTPA prevalence. This suggests that communities with higher concentrations of these racial groups—often shaped by historical and systemic segregation policies—experience lower levels of leisure-time physical activity.
The reasons behind this trend are multifaceted, Fernandez said. Segregated neighborhoods frequently face socioeconomic disadvantages, including higher poverty rates, reduced access to recreational facilities and increased safety concerns. Additionally, cultural and structural barriers—such as limited time for exercise due to work and family responsibilities—further contribute to disparities in physical activity levels.
But sometimes the green space doesn’t include amenities that some groups want or focus on amenities that park officials believe residents want.
Of people she surveyed, Fernandez said they did want soccer fields, but they also wanted playgrounds and restrooms.
“When the city was working with the community, they couldn't really get away from ‘Oh, you want soccer fields.’ There's still a lot of stereotypes, I feel, that need to be undone.”
The Influence of Park Availability
The study also examined how park availability interacts with these racial disparities in physical activity. Unsurprisingly, greater access to public parks was generally associated with higher LTPA prevalence. Parks offer crucial spaces for exercise, community engagement and outdoor recreation, making them valuable assets for promoting public health. However, the study’s findings challenge the notion that simply increasing the number of parks in segregated communities is a one-size-fits-all solution.
“When some of these places were created, the highways went into neighborhoods of color or they went around them,” Fernandez said. “If you live between the highways, you're not going to go outside and do physical activity because it's unsafe to cross streets. And you also have the issue of pollution. Air pollution, sound pollution.”
Another finding from the study is the negative influence effect of park availability on the relationship between Hispanic isolation and LTPA prevalence. The findings indicate that while increasing park availability can enhance LTPA prevalence in communities, the benefits are diminished in areas with high levels of Hispanic or Latino isolation.
Implications for Public Health Policy
Fernandez and Sato’s findings hold significant implications for policymakers and urban planners seeking to promote physical activity in racially segregated communities.
Beyond Infrastructure: While increasing park availability is a positive step, it is not a standalone solution. Investments must also address safety concerns, programming and community engagement to ensure that parks are truly accessible and welcoming spaces.
Culturally Relevant Programs: To effectively encourage LTPA, public health initiatives should incorporate culturally relevant exercise programs that resonate with the target communities.
Addressing Structural Inequities: Efforts to reduce racial residential segregation and the socioeconomic disparities that accompany it should be a long-term priority. Economic investment in historically marginalized neighborhoods can help create environments where physical activity is more feasible and appealing.
Community Involvement: Residents must have a voice in the development and implementation of public health initiatives. By incorporating local perspectives, planners can better understand and address the specific barriers to physical activity that different communities face.
“Miki and I will definitely have to do some outreach to folks in urban planning, public health officials and park officials,” Fernandez said.
The overall goal, Fernandez and Sato say, is improving physical health and health outcomes, but simply building more parks will not be enough to close the gap, the researchers say.
“Just because the space is there doesn't necessarily mean everybody can utilize it,” Fernandez said.