If You Build It Will They Come? Does Involving Community Groups in Playground Renovations Affect Park Utilization and Physical Activity?

Abstract

In a sample of racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods, using a quasi-experimental, prospective, longitudinal study design, we examined whether involvement of community groups in playground design selection, installation, and ongoing maintenance influences park utilization and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) post-playground renovations (N = 78 matched parks, 39 intervention/39control). Parks were matched on size, proximity, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. In summer/fall 2013 and 2014, baseline and 12-month follow-up data were collected on park utilization and physical activity, presence and condition of park features, incivilities, programming, and safety. Analyses were conducted using Poisson mixed-effects regression models. Significant increases between baseline and 12-month follow-up were found for park utilization and the number of people engaged in MVPA at the .05 significance level. Study results can provide communities with evidence to inform future policy decisions on how to increase park utilization in diverse neighborhoods.

Examining Health-Related Effects of Refurbishment to Parks in a Lower Socioeconomic Area: The ShadePlus Natural Experiment

“…Although commonly studies evaluating effects of park refurbishments on physical activity and park use have been conducted alongside recreation programs (e.g., park-based physical activity programs) [ 33 , 35 ] or community engagement [ 36 ], few have studied the effects of park refurbishment alone [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Two of these studies involving park refurbishment alone were also set in lower socioeconomic areas of Melbourne.…”

Environmental, Health and Equity Effects of Urban Green Space Interventions

“…King et al (2015) demonstrated significant improvements in park usage (p = 0.004) and physical activity of users (p = 0.007) after the transformation of 2 acres of undeveloped green space into a recreational park (including footpaths, playing fields, benches and basketball courts) and a community garden in an area of transitional housing for the homeless and refugees. Slater et al (2016) showed significant improvements in park usage and physical activity levels of users over time (up to 12 months) in 39 intervention parks that undertook major improvements including replacement of old playground equipment and ground surfacing, coupled with extensive community engagement activities to encourage and promote park usage, compared with control sites.…”

Urban space and physical activity are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

“…Еще в одном американском исследовании получен двукратный прирост количества посетителей (преимущественно детей и лиц среднего возраста) и их ФА после установки нового детского игрового оборудования, фитнес-тренажеров, увеличения площади озеленения, по сравнению с контрольными парками [36]. В другом исследовании отмечается, что хорошо спроектированная детская игровая площадка стимулирует посещать парк не только детей, но взрослых (как правило, родителей), а также повышает вероятность физически активного отдыха в парке [37].…”