Do racial divisions affect inequities in park access and neighborhood environments? A comparison of neighborhoods on either side of the Delmar Divide in St. Louis, Missouri.

Abstract

While the racial divide on Delmar Boulevard is well documented, its perceptual effect is less understood. This study examined perceptual park access and neighborhood environment to understand better whether Delmar Boulevard affects residents living on contrasting sides of the divide differently. In this study, mixed methods with qualitative cognitive maps and quantitative surveys combined to answer the research questions which include “Do St. Louis citizens on different sides of the Delmar Divide have equitable opportunities for quality public parks? And why?” and “Do St. Louis citizens on different sides of the Delmar Divide perceive the neighborhood environments and barriers that affect their park access differently?” Cognitive maps were administered to participants to assess perceptual environmental features, landmarks, park access, barriers, and spatial divisions of their city and neighborhood (N=55). A survey enriched the cognitive map responses to further understand park visit frequency, park knowledge, ease of park access, social cohesion, and neighborhood perception (N=76). A series of mean difference t-tests were performed to test the hypotheses. Also, qualitative comparisons were conducted to explore similarities and differences between the sides based on cognitive mapping. The analysis found a significant difference between participants from the general population north and south of Delmar Boulevard and their comfort in calling a neighbor for help, perception of their neighborhood as a good place to grow old, and their Appleyard map type for prompt two. Focusing on northern African-American/Black and southern White participants revealed significant differences in the perception of issues (such as crime, safety, etc.) inhibiting park access, the amount of neighbors they see or hear from once a month, the comfort in calling on a neighbor for help, satisfaction levels with their quality of life, the presence of interesting things to look at in their neighborhoods, and the types of cognitive maps created for both prompts. People of color and white analyses found significant differences in park awareness, knowledge of park location, how often participants use transit to ride to parks, the presence of issues in parks, the number of neighbors seen once a month, and the satisfaction with their quality of life. Qualitative study of cognitive maps found differences in parks identified, the effects of Delmar Boulevard, and city amenities important to differing groups. This study illustrated the changing sentiment surrounding Delmar Boulevard while exposing perceptual differences in park access and neighborhood environment across location and race. Further study is needed to understand the primary force of park access and the changing sentiment surrounding Delmar Boulevard.