Health & Equity

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Consultation has concluded

Covid-19 has exacerbated health disparities already prevalent across this nation and DC is no different than everywhere else. Black and brown residents have higher rates of underlying health conditions and have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic. Parks and outdoor recreation can play a significant role in the fight to address these inequities by providing the space, amenities, and programs to offer healthful activities for residents to engage in. We know that exposure to nature and time outside have positive physical and mental benefits and we saw the inequities in access to green space when Covid-19 shut down our city in the spring and many parks closed.

The Health and Equity priority area will focus on promoting an approach to investment and policy that addresses the historical inequities and racism that communities of color have faced. Additionally, the priority's actions will be oriented to ensure that the design of our parks and programs reflects a focus on improving the social determinants of health and improving health outcomes for communities suffering from inequities.

Examples of potential actions of this priority are:

  • Host nutrition and cooking classes
  • Target fitness classes to areas with a lack of private fitness centers
  • Enhance investments in areas of high health inequities
  • Design facilities to promote health and well-being
  • Incorporate biophilic design and providing more trails and access to our natural lands, especially accessible trails

More content will be added to this page as we continue with the planning process. Please share any initial ideas you have on this priority using the tool below.


Credits: "Love" icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com

Covid-19 has exacerbated health disparities already prevalent across this nation and DC is no different than everywhere else. Black and brown residents have higher rates of underlying health conditions and have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic. Parks and outdoor recreation can play a significant role in the fight to address these inequities by providing the space, amenities, and programs to offer healthful activities for residents to engage in. We know that exposure to nature and time outside have positive physical and mental benefits and we saw the inequities in access to green space when Covid-19 shut down our city in the spring and many parks closed.

The Health and Equity priority area will focus on promoting an approach to investment and policy that addresses the historical inequities and racism that communities of color have faced. Additionally, the priority's actions will be oriented to ensure that the design of our parks and programs reflects a focus on improving the social determinants of health and improving health outcomes for communities suffering from inequities.

Examples of potential actions of this priority are:

  • Host nutrition and cooking classes
  • Target fitness classes to areas with a lack of private fitness centers
  • Enhance investments in areas of high health inequities
  • Design facilities to promote health and well-being
  • Incorporate biophilic design and providing more trails and access to our natural lands, especially accessible trails

More content will be added to this page as we continue with the planning process. Please share any initial ideas you have on this priority using the tool below.


Credits: "Love" icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com

Consultation has concluded

Do you have any questions on the Health and Equity priority?