California’s state parks are more than just landscapes — they are places of connection, history, and healing. However, these spaces have not always been equally accessible to all communities. Through California State Parks Foundation’s Partnership Equity grants, we are gaining firsthand insights into the barriers to access, the creative innovative solutions emerging from communities, and the transformative power of partnerships in shaping an inclusive future for our state parks. 

The Journey Toward Equity 

Equity in park access goes beyond simply visiting a park — it’s about fostering a sense of belonging. California State Parks Foundation defines equity as, “Recognizing the barriers and advantages that exist and allocating resources to ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities.” This commitment led to the creation of our Partnership Equity grants. Through this initiative, we awarded grants to five community organizations across the state that include programming, events, and guides on land care. Organizations who received a Partnership Equity grant include, Disabled Hikers, Los Angeles River State Park Partners and Rep Club, Negus In Nature, Queer Surf, and Test Plot.  

To advance equitable access to state parks, this grant round aligns with California Natural Resource Agency’s Outdoors For All strategy, California State Parks Foundation’s Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (JEID) commitments and values. This journey is shaped by the ideas and work efforts of individuals and communities coming together to create culturally relevant experiences, events, and programming in state parks. From trail guides and hikes for people with disabilities, to a surfing exhibition celebrating queer surfers, the projects supported by these grants are redefining who parks are for and how they are experienced. 

Opportunities and Barriers 

Opportunities: In January of this year California State Parks Foundation hosted a virtual gathering with the first recipients of the Partnership Equity grants. This gathering took the place of a typical written midterm report and provided a space for grantees and California State Parks Foundation staff and board to have a conversation about the opportunities these the Partnership Equity grants provided to address equitable access and culturally relevant experiences in state parks. 

Empowering Local Leaders

Community-driven initiatives have thrived, with residents taking ownership of programs that reflect their lived experiences and traditions. 

• Test Plot: Test Plot at Rio de Los Angeles is one of several native habitat gardens that have been led by community members since the park opened in 2007. ​(Plot)​. The Partnership Equity grant is helping to fund a user guide to creating impact with community land care.  

Mutual Aid & Resource Sharing

The spirit of mutual aid has infused these projects, where organizations share resources, knowledge, and support to maximize impact.

• Queer Surf: Participants in Queer Surf’s programming have created text threads to discuss gear exchange and share weather and wave conditions, all of which are not part of Queer Surf’s programming, but by creating safe and welcoming spaces they have created a resource-sharing network. The Partnership Equity grant helped to fund, SWITCH: An Exhibition of Nonbinary, Transgender, and Queer Surfing. 

Activating Park Spaces

With California having the lowest literacy rate of any state, park partners are reimagining how knowledge is shared among communities.

• Los Angeles River State Park Partners and Rep Club: The Great Book Exchange will turn Los Angeles State Historic Park into a reader’s paradise. Events will include a free community book exchange, author talks and readings, mini book clubs and more. The Partnership Equity grant is helping to fund, The Great Book Exchange which will take place in April, 2024.

Culturally Relevant Programming

Parks are places to participate, create, and connect in a way outside of the dominant culture norms of what it means to recreate in parks. 

• Negus In Nature: Their “We Outside” series provides a welcoming entry point into nature. Featuring safe, BIPOC-centered outings for connection with each other and nature. The Partnership Equity grant helped to fund the “We Outside” series, including the Redwood Rx program at Henry Cowell State Park. 

• Disabled Hikers: Utilizing detailed information from their book, The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California: Outdoor Adventures Accessible By Car, Wheelchair, and on Foot, they hosted group hikes for people with disabilities. These hikes took into consideration of providing clear accessibility information, offering cross-disability affinity spaces, and offering transportation and day-use fee stipends. The Partnership Equity grant is helping to fund promotion of the hiking guide, including author talks and group hikes centered on people with disabilities. 

Barriers: Despite the opportunities and successes provided by the programs and events created to center specific communities that have been marginalized in parks, barriers remain to ensure equitable access. The relationships we have built with our grantees can help us understand California State Parks Foundation’s role in addressing these barriers.  

• Transportation: Access is still limited for those without reliable transportation, as well as the rising cost of gas, making it difficult to experience state parks.
• Spreading the Word: Awareness remains a challenge, with many potential participants unaware of state parks near where they live and the programs they offer.
• Funding Uncertainty: Persistent budget deficits and cuts to funding threaten state parks’ programming, maintenance, and operations, making it difficult to provide safe and welcoming parks.

Changing the Narrative on Equitable Access

The successes of these grant-funded programs and events demonstrate the potential for expansion across California. To replicate and enhance these efforts, we need:

• Sustained Investment in Community Liaison Programs: Training and mentorship programs can build long-term capacity within marginalized communities and state parks to realize the state’s goals of expanded community engagement, addressing community needs, and diversifying their workforce.
• Community-Driven Programming: Allowing community nonprofit organizations to lead programming and events in state parks fosters a sense of ownership and ensures cultural relevance.
• Health and Well-being: By emphasizing the essential role of parks in health and well-being, organizations can shift the public perception of their importance.
• Reimagining Parks as Everyday Spaces: Parks should not be occasional destinations — they should be integrated into the daily lives of communities. Parks can become hubs for climate resilience, culture, education, and social connection.
• Advocacy & Policy Engagement: Raising awareness of the value of parks and mobilizing community voices can help secure critical funding and legislative support.

Looking Ahead

California State Parks Foundation’s Partnership Equity Grants are more than just funding projects — they are driving a movement toward true park equity. By empowering community nonprofits, highlighting their vital partnerships with state parks, fostering community ownership, and advocating for systemic change, these grants help ensure that California’s state parks are inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.