Exploring Social Demographic and Social Psychological Bases of Urban Park and Forest Visitation and Outdoor Recreation Characteristics Among Ethnic Minority Populations

Urban ethnic minority groups constitute an important and growing user segment of urban and community parks and forests.

The ethnic minority population of the US continues to increase due to rising minority birth rates coupled with the influx of ethnic immigrants to America's cities, suburbs and towns (Parrillo, 1994). Based on present immigration trends, by the year 2050, 22 percent of the US population will be Hispanic and 10 percent will be Asian (US Bureau of the Census, 1994). Urban ethnic minority groups thus constitute an important and growing user segment of urban and community parks and forests. These parks and forests not only provide diverse opportunities for recreation, leisure, and cultural activities (Chicago Park District, 1989; More, 1985), but they also serve as alternative access routes to shop or work and connectors between neighborhoods; foster diversity of social relationships in much the same way that they foster biological diversity among flora and fauna (Shafer and Floyd, 1997). To better manage urban and community forests and parks, a heightened understanding of the values, attitudes and behaviors of the ethnic minorities they serve is important.

NUCFAC recommended award: NA-99-0415

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