2023 Parks and Recreation Aquatics Master Plan

Aquatic Facilities Master Plan EQUITY ASSESSMENT

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EQUITY ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this assessment is to examine the equitability of aquatic facilities in the City of Greensboro using factors such as geospatial distribution of facilities, social vulnerability, demographics, walkability and funding. Government investment in parks and recreation facilities is intended to create benefits for individuals and the wider community. The study builds upon findings from the site assessment in Chapter 3.

Inequalities in recreational facilities were born out of the Jim Crow era. Separate but equal laws ensured that Blacks and Whites went to separate but “unequal” facilities such as schools, libraries, swimming pools and parks. During the Jim Crow era, parks were segregated with separate entrances, campgrounds, bathrooms and picnic tables. “Whites only” and “Coloreds only” signs were used as physical markers and reminders (NRPA Equity in Parks and Recreation Report, 2021). Pools were no different as institutional and structural racism plagued black and brown communities seeking access to pools or aquatic facilities throughout the US. access to pools for Blacks and Puerto Ricans. Moses limited funding for parks in Black and Puerto Rican communities such as Harlem and resorted to tactics of keeping water temperatures extremely cold to discourage Blacks and Puerto Ricans from mingling with Whites in public pools (Murphy, 1972). Middle class Whites expressed concerns with intermingling and eventually left public pools to begin attending private swim clubs or pools (Wiltse, 2007). Aware of this history of inequities in parks and pools, local government leaders seek the examination and assessment of inequities that may exist in the provision of public recreational facilities which are accessible to all. 1 2 Well known Robert Moses, former New York City Parks Commissioner was intent on restricting

Providing parks and recreation facilities to all residents is important, and this analysis is intended to serve as a baseline assessment for guidance on future decision making and investment in aquatics facilities. The Greensboro Plan2Play Parks and Recreation Master Plan ( Plan2Play ) is the most recent comprehensive parks and recreation master plan intended to guide planning and development of the parks and recreation system within the city over the next twenty years (2018-2038). Plan2Play expresses a vision that will enhance and expand parks, facilities and programs, and reconnect Greensboro into a healthy community for all generations and neighborhoods. The department currently provides a variety of program offerings both in-house and through outside partnerships. However, gaps were identified in aquatics programs due to the lack of indoor aquatics amenities and dated outdoor pool facilities. Additionally, limited pool hours and offerings at those facilities do not necessarily meet the needs of the community. Plan2Play recommends further exploring the need for growth in aquatics programs.

1 Murphy, J. F. (1972). Egalitarianism and separatism: a history of approaches in the provision of public recreation and leisure service for blacks, 1906-1972 (Doctoral dissertation). 2 Wiltse, J. (2007). Contested waters: A social history of swimming pools in America . Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.

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