This map was recently updated in 2020 in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Health. The new Park Equity tool uses locally provided park data and has been evaluated to include the number of park amenities, as well as whether a park has “nature-based” or “people powered” recreation facilities. The combined park equity scoring model has also been updated to include data layers such as percent of non-white population, linguistic isolation, walkability, and distance to transit.

Also new to the updated mapping tool is the inclusion of the MD EJ Score analysis, as well as numerous context layers often important for environmental justice analysis. The MD EJ Score is comprised of data from four categories: Environmental Exposures, Environmental Effects, Socioeconomic Factors and Sensitive Populations. A fifth category of data is currently in development to account for climate and health stressors.

The Climate and Health analysis currently includes data on proximity to flood zones, tree canopy, proximity to nursing locations as well as the location of medically underserved area.

New Context layers: The updated mapper includes numerous data layers that can be displayed as context for equity analyses. These layers are found with on the top right corner of the mapping toolbar and includes such data as political boundaries, location of schools, powerplants, grocery stores, health professional shortage areas, and much more.