For African Americans, Park Access Is About More Than Just Proximity

This trails closed sign warns of wet conditions at Cedar Hill State Park southwest of Dallas were closed Sunday, July 1, 2007. Forecasters said rain was expected to continue in parts of Texas for at least the next 10 days. Weeks of heavy rains have dampened recreational activities across Texas, slowing business at parks and tourist destinations and leaving campsites and hiking trails waterlogged.
This trails closed sign warns of wet conditions at Cedar Hill State Park southwest of Dallas were closed Sunday, July 1, 2007. Forecasters said rain was expected to continue in parts of Texas for at least the next 10 days. Weeks of heavy rains have dampened recreational activities across Texas, slowing business at parks and tourist destinations and leaving campsites and hiking trails waterlogged. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)

There are many ways to measure park access, but we also need to make a better accounting for the role of historical patterns of racial discrimination. This article examines a case study in Texas.