Park segregation

2007
united states

Park segregation refers to the division of public parks based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This was a common practice in the United States during the period of segregation laws, which prohibited people of different races from using the same facilities.

In many cities, parks were designated as "whites-only" or "blacks-only" spaces, with separate facilities such as restrooms, drinking fountains, and seating areas. This segregation was a way to enforce and perpetuate racial discrimination and inequality.

Today, park segregation is illegal under civil rights laws, and public parks are considered open to everyone regardless of race or background. However, there may still be instances of segregation based on socioeconomic factors, such as the availability of amenities in wealthier neighborhoods compared to those in lower-income areas.

Efforts are being made to ensure that public parks are accessible and inclusive to all members of the community, regardless of their background. This includes creating programs and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusivity in park spaces, as well as addressing any disparities in park resources and amenities.

Further reading

Retzlaff R. (2021) "Desegregation of City Parks and the Civil Rights Movement: The Case of Oak Park in Montgomery, Alabama", Journal of Urban History, 47(4), pp. 715-752. SAGE Publications Inc.. DOI: 10.1177/0096144219877636

O'Brien W. (2007) "The strange career of a Florida State Park: Uncovering a Jim Crow past", Historical Geography, 35(), pp. 160-184. . DOI: [1]

O'Brien W.E. (2012) "State parks and Jim crow in the decade before brown V. board of education", Geographical Review, 102(2), pp. 166-179. . DOI: 10.1111/j.1931-0846.2012.00141.x