Program on the Environment

Marginalized communities across the nation experience many barriers preventing inclusion and access in natural spaces. A localized case study, Discovery Park in Seattle, Washington, replicates unequal distribution of offered natural public space benefits. The aim of this study is to identify and engage organizations representing marginalized communities regarding common barriers to park spaces, specifically Discovery Park, and future mitigation strategies. Namely, a phone application in this case study is explored as a mitigation tool. Data collection with various organizations was collated via interview questionnaire. Interviewed organizations were identified and contacted whom represented diverse, marginalized populations in the Seattle area with respective permission to participate. Once the interviews were performed, the found data were agglomerated into overarching themes and used to answer research questions and researched scholarly data reinforcement. Transportation is the largest and most common of many park accessibility barriers to the respected interviewed organizations. Also, unfamiliarity and discomfort of space are the greatest perceived barriers of the space. Lastly, language is the most common cultural barrier. All participating organizations unanimously agreed a phone application is a potential tool to overcome such barriers. The implications of this study will help eliminate unequal access and inclusion of park spaces, locally, and as a model to mediate this phenomenon in natural spaces across the country. Thus, diversity will be promoted and will maximize park benefits for all city residents and foster a greater cohesion of community.