I would say I am a pretty outdoorsy person. I worked in a bike shop in a national park for two years, I am an outdoor recreation minor and I spend more time outside than I do in. But a big part of what allows me to pursue this passion is access. Presenting as an able-bodied white man and coming from a middle-class upbringing has made me the archetype of outdoor marketing. But for many, that access to the outdoors is not there.
While the outdoor industry has tried to make improvements in broadening the accessibility and inclusivity of those in marginalized groups, progress is far from complete.
The group most directly affected by accessibility specifically in the outdoors, is those with physical disabilities. Consider somebody who uses a wheelchair; going on a trail with roots, rocks, inclines and declines becomes extremely difficult if not nearly impossible. While the decision of how to make a trail or outdoor space more accessible comes down to what institution manages the land and not the industry, the lack of accessibility can turn people away from the outdoors.
Another key demographic that traditionally does not have access to the outdoors is people of color. Instead of the physical limitations, the issue leans more toward proximity to outdoor spaces and representation. For those who live in more urban areas, natural spaces become harder to reach as it takes longer to get to them and is therefore less justifiable. While some cities like Cleveland or Chicago are near national parks, most do not have that luxury.
On the topic of luxury, clothing and gear marketed toward people looking to get outside is a large reason why many may avoid outdoor spaces. While these expensive items are not necessarily needed, the overwhelming presence of high price tags can be a turnoff. At REI, one of the nation's largest outdoor retailers, hiking boots can range anywhere from $120 to upward of $300. For many, that is simply not a feasible cost.
Marketing by retailers such as REI, Patagonia and Columbia tend to target people like me: middle-class, able-bodied white men. For communities of color, women or those with physical disabilities, the lack of representation can make it seem as though these spaces are not a welcoming place for them.
According to the National Health Foundation, “close to 70% of people who visit national forests, national wildlife refuges, and national parks are white, while Black people remain the most dramatically underrepresented group in these spaces.”
Groups and organizations such as Outdoorist Oath, All Bodies on Bikes, and Outdoor Afro work to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the outdoors, but it takes more than just them. It takes land management agencies, companies and those who have the privilege of access to make outdoor spaces available to as many people as possible.
To paraphrase something a professor of mine recently said, “Social movements start from just a few individuals, and as they grow, they envelop more and more people.”
Ethan Herx is a freshman studying media arts production at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
