Public parks management nationwide are not proactive about climate change, new research shows

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Parks, nature preserves and other green spaces are an integral part of the landscape of any urban area. These green spaces promote health and quality of life; they are also essential in counteracting continued climate change.

Until now, the extent of planning by the management of parks and recreation departments (PRDs) to adapt to climate change was unknown. A new report, “Climate change impacts and urban green space adaptation efforts: Evidence from U.S. municipal parks and recreation departments,” surveyed more than 400 PRD directors across the United States, examining the effects of climate change on these spaces and how well local PRDs are proactively preparing for climate change.

The study is authored by James R. Farmer, associate professor at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Yuan (Daniel) Cheng, who obtained his Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the O’Neill School; Stephanie Dickinson, academic specialist at Indiana University; Scott Robeson, professor at Indiana University; Burnell Fischer, clinical professor emeritus at Indiana University; and Heather Reynolds, associate professor at Indiana University.

The following key findings were produced:

• PRDs across the United States are largely unprepared for climate change.
• Many PRDs are unlikely to initiate plans to adapt or take remedial action until substantial climate change is experienced firsthand.
• The highest level of planning and implementation is for planting trees. However, widespread planning for water infrastructure (i.e., storm water capture) and an overall reduction of water usage has not started.
• Overall, PRDs across the United States have not fully recognized the impacts of climate change and changes to adapt are largely just beginning.
• Areas that suffer from heat and droughts, as well as those impacted by storms and floods, reported more progress in adaptation plans. Those with fewer impacts are less likely to make preventive adaptations.
• The U.S. is not uniform in its acceptance of and action on climate change.

“Some administrators in PRDs choose not to accept the science and believe climate change is hoax,” Farmer said. “Unfortunately, climate change is not a hoax. I wish it was.”

The study found that, collectively, PRDs across the United States are not adapting soon enough to climate change. Instead, they tend to adapt to immediate problems rather than take a preventative approach. Additionally, a lack of resources often means that the most immediate needs receive attention. Concerns moving forward largely center around gaps in preparation that could, ultimately, negatively impact the ecological health of urban green spaces and the health of people who live nearby.

“Urban green infrastructure is critical for human health,” Farmer said. “Using greenspaces for recreation and physical activity, which help bolster both physical and mental health, as well as reduce heat island effect, are just a few examples of their utility.”

Farmer said PRDs should work with elected leaders and philanthropic organizations to advocate for green infrastructure funding. The key, he said, is to be creative to protect these critically important areas with more comprehensive and proactive planning.