Fewer Minorities Use Parks, Study Says

Programs Reach Out To New Immigrants

Nearly eight out of 10 Fairfax County residents use the county's expansive park system, but the use of parks by low-income residents and some minority groups still lags, according to a recent survey by the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The survey indicated that some of the residents in 79 percent of the county's households had used the parks last year. It said that the 200 miles of trails, nine recreation centers and three lakefront parks, such as Lake Accotink Park, were the park system's most popular features.

The study of 1,000 households was administered in conjunction with the Center for Social Science Research at George Mason University.

Although park usage by some minorities, such as Latinos, is on the rise, participation by nonwhite residents and lower-income residents lags behind the average, the survey said. It said 65 percent of residents with household incomes of $50,000 or less used the parks, and 71 to 76 percent of nonwhite residents used them.

"It's gratifying to see that most people think the quality of life in the county is good, and that parks are an important contributor to that, but we're looking for weaknesses in the system and where we can improve," said Nick Duray, the park authority's manager for market research and planning.

The authority oversees more than 380 parks spread over 20,000 acres, and has tried in recent months to work with new immigrants and other residents through a program called Community Connections.

Community Connections staffer members Ricardo Cabellos-Reyes, a Spanish speaker, and Korean-born Wangin Bang have started youth swimming classes in the Culmore neighborhood and recruited Asian seniors for water exercise. They have also tried to ease tensions between immigrant groups and neighbors during soccer matches at the parks and have started a concert series featuring global music.

Duray said that the increase in park usage by some minorities is a result of the program, including a 6.5 percent rise in Hispanic users and a 14 percent increase in African Americans users since 2003.

The park authority is exploring ways to increase the use among low-income residents, which might be difficult, Duray said.

Fees at recreation centers and for classes could be roadblocks for some lower-income residents, and time and transportation constraints could also be impediments, Duray said.

The number of Fairfax County residents receiving scholarships to take classes at park facilities has increased from 1,847 to 2,528 since 2004. But the survey also indicated that lower-income residents use some of Fairfax's free amenities, such as lakefront parks, at a lower rate than average.