Comparative Statistical Analysis
According to the statistical data we researched, it is clear that NYC public park funding is unequally distributed. New parks like the High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park receive much more money than others such as Highbridge Park and University Woods. The discretion in funding however is not random. Certain traits in each park’s neighborhood all but dictate how much money that park will receive. The race, education, income, and employment of each park’s neighborhood residents are all strong indicators of how much or how little funding will be given to the respective park.
Race: The High Line and Brooklyn Bridge park, the two highly funded parks are both in neighborhoods where the vast majority, nearly 75%, of residents are white. Highbridge Park and University Wood which both receive limited funding have much fewer white residents, 17% and 13.1% respectively, and a much larger African American and ethnic presence.
These inverse demographics seem to correspond with more than just race…
The High Line- 74.1% White
Brooklyn Bridge Park- 73.9%
University Woods- 13.1% white
Education: The majority of the residents 25 years-old and up in the neighborhoods surrounding the High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park are highly educated, more than 50% of them graduating college and beyond. On the other hand, the residents near Highbridge Park and University Wood are less educated. Less than half of those ages 25 and up have completed high school.
The High Line- 55% hold a bachelor’s or higher degree
Brooklyn Bridge Park- 57.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
Highbridge Park-11.1% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
Income: The median household incomes of those near the highly funded parks are higher than the borough, state and national average. Households near the Brooklyn Bridge Park have a median income of $83,816 in 2009 dollars. However, we see that residents near the less funded parks have much lower incomes. Those living near University Wood have a median income of $27,652 in 2009 dollars.
The High Line- Median Household Income $49,932 (adjusted for inflation: $63,913)
Brooklyn Bridge Park- Median Household Income $65,481 (adjusted for inflation: $83,816)
Highbridge Park- Median Household Income $22,065 (adjusted for inflation: $28,243)
University Wood- Median Household Income $21,603 (adjusted for inflation: $27,652)
Unemployment: The unemployment rate in neighborhoods surrounding the High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park are moderate to low. Those near the less funded parks such as University Wood are more likely to be unemployed, with a high unemployment rate of 9.3%.
The High Line- Unemployment 7.1%
Brooklyn Bridge Park- Unemployment 8.4%
Highbridge Park- Unemployment 9.2%
University Wood- Unemployment 9.3%
