Considerations for Children’s Nature Connection and Park Environmental Justice in Western Societies

Abstract

Nature provides multiple physical, mental, and social health benefits to children. Although green spaces in cities can provide these health benefits, in many Western societies, children are spending less time outdoors and access to green spaces and related factors are not evenly distributed spatially and demographically. In addition, recent literature points to new greening projects furthering inequities due to processes of green gentrification. Several studies have provided insight into distributional, interactional, and procedural environmental justice issues related to green spaces. Through a narrative review of the literature, this paper explores these components of environmental justice as they relate to children’s nature connection and play in local city parks. When planning for local parks, historical and context-specific social and environmental factors that influence caretaker and children’s ability to access green spaces that promote nature connection should be considered.