Socioeconomic Disparities in the Provision of School Gardens in Santa Clara County, California

Abstract

School gardens have been found to significantly benefit children’s social and academic development, but may not be equally available to all children. This study used surveys and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to investigate the links between the presence and use of school gardens and the socio-economic and ethnic makeup of neighborhoods within Santa Clara County (SCC). SCC is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Region, and has high income disparities and a very ethnically diverse population. Results from our statistical analyses show that school gardens in SCC are more likely to exist in economically stronger and ethnically less-diverse neighborhoods. School gardens can be maintained with relatively moderate resources, including a school garden coordinator, planting area, a small budget, and support by the school community, yet obtaining these resources could represent a significant barrier for some schools. As natural play areas conducive to environmental exploration were not typically found at schools in SCC, school gardens can play an important role in reconnecting children with the natural world.