Spatial Disparities in the Distribution of Parks and Green Spaces in the USA

Overview

Journal Ann Behav Med

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2013 Jan 22

PMID 23334758

Citations 109

Authors

Ming Wen

Xingyou Zhang

Carmen D Harris

James B Holt

Janet B Croft

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Little national evidence is available on spatial disparities in distributions of parks and green spaces in the USA.

Purpose: This study examines ecological associations of spatial access to parks and green spaces with percentages of black, Hispanic, and low-income residents across the urban-rural continuum in the conterminous USA.

Methods: Census tract-level park and green space data were linked with data from the 2010 U.S. Census and 2006-2010 American Community Surveys. Linear mixed regression models were performed to examine these associations.

Results: Poverty levels were negatively associated with distances to parks and percentages of green spaces in urban/suburban areas while positively associated in rural areas. Percentages of blacks and Hispanics were in general negatively linked to distances to parks and green space coverage along the urban-rural spectrum.

Conclusions: Place-based race-ethnicity and poverty are important correlates of spatial access to parks and green spaces, but the associations vary across the urbanization levels.

Citing Articles

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PMID: 40060773 PMC: 11887920.

Objectively-measured Environmental Support for Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and Breastfeeding in the Rural United States: A Scoping Review to Inform Opportunities for Public Health Surveillance.

Wende M, Houghtaling B, Krey K, Morgan R, Umstattd Meyer M J Healthy Eat Act Living. 2025; 5(1):1-30.

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A framework to evaluate public green spaces with an emphasis on recreational values for sustainable urban and rural areas: A systematic review and content analysis.

Ghavimi A, Schuessler F, Pesch R Heliyon. 2025; 11(2):e41553.

PMID: 39877605 PMC: 11773031. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41553.

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