BUILD
GROW
CONNECT
Parks Urban and Outdoor Recreation
Building a Better Future for African Americans through Outdoor Recreation
Report to Washington State Parks Commission shows barriers for Black people outdoors – OPB
BOE-TIE, Black Outdoor Experiences-Training, Inclusion & Education
According to a recent survey by the Black Washingtonians Workgroup on Outdoor Recreation, fewer than 1.5% of State Parks visitors are Black. Some barriers to participation in outdoor recreation for Black Washingtonians include safety concerns, a lack of access to transportation, and access to outdoor equipment, which can be expensive123. Reco Bembry is the facilitator of the Black Washingtonians Workgroup on Outdoor Recreation and has been involved in presenting potential solutions to lower these barriers2. The Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) effort is a statewide initiative in Washington state to manifest a pro-equity anti-racism ecosystem. On March 22, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed Executive Order 22-04, Implementing the Washington State Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan & Playbook. The Executive Order directs all Cabinet agencies to develop a PEAR Strategic Action Plan, implement it, and report their progress on implementation
In part as a result of the report Barriers to participation by Black Washingtonians – Proviso led by Bembry Consulting Services and G3 consulting team The Governors office established The Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) effort is a statewide initiative in Washington state to manifest a pro-equity anti-racism ecosystem. On March 22, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed Executive Order 22-04, Implementing the Washington State Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan & Playbook. The Executive Order directs all Cabinet agencies to develop a PEAR Strategic Action Plan, implement it, and report their progress on implementation12.
The purpose of the Washington State Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan & Playbook is to establish a unified vision of equity for state government and to bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities so everyone in Washington can flourish and achieve their full potential. The PEAR Plan & Playbook contains a step-by-step playbook for developing, implementing, and embedding PEAR into every government action across state government.