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Chicago’s Latino neighborhoods fight for more parks to combat climate change

In Chicago’s Latino-majority neighborhoods like Brighton Park, residents are demanding more green space to combat air pollution, extreme heat and a lack of safe, outdoor community areas.

Aydali Campa reports for Borderless Magazine, Cicero Independiente and Inside Climate News.

In short:

Brighton Park residents like Carmen Barragan are advocating for improved parks, with successes like the renovation of Kelly Park and the creation of the Chicago Park District headquarters.
A study found that majority-Latino neighborhoods in Chicago have significantly less access to green space and parks than other areas, exacerbating health and climate risks.
Advocates are pushing the city to continue addressing the lack of green space, essential for reducing heat and improving air quality in these communities.

Key quote:

“We’ve always had to fight [for these improvements], so it is frustrating, but at the same time, it is very gratifying to see these spaces open.”

— Carmen Barragan, Brighton Park resident and organizer.

Why this matters:

Parks can literally cool neighborhoods down, soak up floodwaters and clean the air, providing vital relief from pollution. In places like Brighton Park, residents are pushing for the city to work towards healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. Read more: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US.

borderlessmag.org

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