Critical Consciousness of Systemic Racism in Parks among Park Agency Directors and Policymakers: An Environmental Justice Tool for Recreation and Conservation Leaders

Abstract

Systemic racism in parks has created significant environmental injustices for people of color. Park leaders including agency directors and policymakers are well positioned to advance environmental justice, but doing so relies on their critical awareness of how systemic racism manifests in parks. We conducted a survey to assess critical consciousness of systemic racism in parks (CCSRP), specifically local parks, among local park leaders in Pennsylvania, explore differences in these perceptions based on leader and community type, and examine the relationship between political ideology and CCSRP. Findings indicate higher critical consciousness among agency directors and individuals working in urban or suburban communities compared to policymakers and those from rural areas. Policymakers with more conservative ideologies exhibited lower CCSRP. Findings provide preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of the CCSRP measure and baseline evidence of CCSRP that can be used to inform educational initiatives, encourage policy change, and stimulate improved management.

Keywords:

• Environmental justice
• local officials
• outdoor recreation
• park management
• racial equity
• scale development

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the state associations who helped to distribute this survey and the park leaders who took the time to provide responses.

Notes

1 The study was approved by The Pennsylvania State University Institutional Review Board, STUDY00018057.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society.