The Environmental J.E.D.I Way
Environmental Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Public Parks & Green Spaces
Environmental Justice
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental Justice also means the fair distribution of environmental goods which includes green spaces. Green spaces absorb CO2 and air pollutants, reduce flooding from storm water run-off, mitigates urban heat island effect, and can serve as areas for recreation, community/cultural connection, food production, and wildlife habitat formation. Everyone deserves a healthy environment to work, live, and play.
Equity
It is an imperative that all residents have access to the same opportunities and/or services that their governments administer or deliver, directly or by contract. This includes parks, park programming, and facilities. All residents deserve access to safe, healthy, and high quality public parks, recreation facilities, gardens, green spaces, and nature.
Diversity
Different cultures have different traditions and wants from their engagements with nature, parks, gardens and other recreational green spaces and facilities. These differences must be recognized, respected, maintained, and/or created. We must support new and traditional ways that encourage community engagements across cultural differences and that promotes community building. Everyone should to feel welcomed at public parks.
Inclusion
It’s time for a 21st Century Park System that has multi-generational, multi-cultural and culturally relevant recreational spaces. Parks should not only be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but fully inclusive of our community
members and park users who are differently mobile. Inclusion also means full participation in the governance and
stewardship of our parks through public meetings and events which shape and protect our public lands and
green spaces while building community. All residents deserve to enjoy parks and play!
Adapted From “Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission 2018 Annual Report.” City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, August 1, 2019. https://oakland.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3996179&GUID=4FEBCF1C-EE97-42EF-B0CB-EDDA25041AF5&Options=&Search=
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental Justice also means the fair distribution of environmental goods which includes green spaces. Green spaces absorb CO2 and air pollutants, reduce flooding from storm water run-off, mitigates urban heat island effect, and can serve as areas for recreation, community/cultural connection, food production, and wildlife habitat formation. Everyone deserves a healthy environment to work, live, and play.
Equity
It is an imperative that all residents have access to the same opportunities and/or services that their governments administer or deliver, directly or by contract. This includes parks, park programming, and facilities. All residents deserve access to safe, healthy, and high quality public parks, recreation facilities, gardens, green spaces, and nature.
Diversity
Different cultures have different traditions and wants from their engagements with nature, parks, gardens and other recreational green spaces and facilities. These differences must be recognized, respected, maintained, and/or created. We must support new and traditional ways that encourage community engagements across cultural differences and that promotes community building. Everyone should to feel welcomed at public parks.
Inclusion
It’s time for a 21st Century Park System that has multi-generational, multi-cultural and culturally relevant recreational spaces. Parks should not only be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but fully inclusive of our community
members and park users who are differently mobile. Inclusion also means full participation in the governance and
stewardship of our parks through public meetings and events which shape and protect our public lands and
green spaces while building community. All residents deserve to enjoy parks and play!
Adapted From “Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission 2018 Annual Report.” City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, August 1, 2019. https://oakland.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3996179&GUID=4FEBCF1C-EE97-42EF-B0CB-EDDA25041AF5&Options=&Search=
*Image credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45599014961521094/