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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2013

01-02-2013 | Original Article

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

Authors: Ming Wen, Ph.D., M.S, Xingyou Zhang, Ph.D., M.S, Carmen D. Harris, M.P.H, James B. Holt, Ph.D., M.P.A, Janet B. Croft, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Special Issue 1/2013

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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.
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Metadata
Title
Spatial Disparities in the Distribution of Parks and Green Spaces in the USA
Authors
Ming Wen, Ph.D., M.S
Xingyou Zhang, Ph.D., M.S
Carmen D. Harris, M.P.H
James B. Holt, Ph.D., M.P.A
Janet B. Croft, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue Special Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9426-x

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