zoning + land use
Walk-to-a-Park for Older Adults Making a Neighborhood Illegal
housing
Salem, MA Medford, MA
transit planning
QBNR Route Profiles QBNR GAR Inserts New Queens Bus Map Toronto Bike-to-School

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Walk-to-a-Park for Older Adults

Analysis of park and public space accessibility for older adults in New York City



2020

In 2014, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) launched the Community Parks Initiative (CPI)—a citywide effort to revitalize historically under-invested parks in neighborhoods with the greatest need. As part of a broader municipal commitment to equitable planning and community health, CPI expanded park access through various interventions, including renovating open spaces, creating parks within public housing developments, transforming schoolyards into playgrounds, and redeveloping large parks into community anchors. Reflecting these efforts, the 2020 Walk-to-a-Park Report found that 81.7% of New Yorkers live within walking distance of a park—one of the highest access rates in the United States.

Yet despite these gains, park access remains uneven across the city. Beyond the 18% of residents living in park deserts, many older New Yorkers—particularly those in lower-income outer-borough neighborhoods—face barriers that limit the usability of nearby parks. While proximity is a key measure, accessibility is multidimensional. Parks considered accessible by city metrics may not adequately serve older adults. For example, playgrounds, athletic fields, and nature preserves are often categorized as open-space resources for all residents, even when their designs or amenities exclude individuals with mobility challenges. Preliminary surveys of older adults in Brooklyn highlight additional concerns, including long-term park closures, poor maintenance, and limited accessibility for individuals with ambulatory disabilities.

As New York City’s population continues to age—now home to more adults over 65 than children under 13—addressing these barriers has become increasingly urgent. Many parks lack age-friendly infrastructure, and even more lack amenities that support social engagement, comfort, and safety for older users. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the essential role of parks—not only as spaces for recreation, but as vital components of public health and community resilience.

More than just open spaces, parks are social and health assets that foster connection, exercise, and emotional well-being. Older adults, who face higher risks of social isolation and sedentary behavior, depend on these spaces for maintaining physical and mental health. In light of these challenges, this project presents an exploratory analysis of park accessibility for older adults in New York City, seeking to expand the conversation around walkability, equity, and the inclusive design of public spaces.

Tools: GIS, Python

Measuring park accessibility

Case study:
Brighton Beach