The First National Study of Neighborhood Parks

Abstract

Introduction An extensive infrastructure of neighborhood parks supports leisure time physical activity in most U.S. cities; yet, most Americans do not meet national guidelines for physical activity. Neighborhood parks have never been assessed nationally to identify their role in physical activity. Methods Using a stratified multistage sampling strategy, a representative sample of 174 neighborhood parks in 25 major cities (population >100,000) across the U.S. was selected. Park use, park-based physical activity, and park conditions were observed during a typical week using systematic direct observation during spring/summer of 2014. Park administrators were interviewed to assess policies and practices. Data were analyzed in 2014–2015 using repeated-measure negative binomial regressions to estimate weekly park use and park-based physical activity. Results Nationwide, the average neighborhood park of 8.8 acres averaged 23 users/hour or an estimated 1,533 person hours of weekly use. Walking loops and gymnasia each generated 221 hours/week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Seniors represented 4% of park users, but 20% of the general population. Parks were used less in low-income than in high-income neighborhoods, largely explained by fewer supervised activities and marketing/outreach efforts. Programming and marketing were associated with 37% and 63% more hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity/week in parks, respectively. Conclusions The findings establish national benchmarks for park use, which can guide future park investments and management practices to improve population health. Offering more programming, using marketing tools like banners and posters, and installing facilities like walking loops may help currently underutilized parks increase population physical activity.

Quality of public urban parks for physical activity practice in Bucaramanga, Colombia

“…al. 30 , did not find differences between socioeconomic level and accessibility. However, Vieira et al 12 found significant positive association between the level of social development of a neighborhood and quality of parks for physical activity in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.…”

“…20 verified inverse relationship between population density and number of available spaces for physical activity. The population density around the parks may represent potential users, so it is necessary to generate public policy to improve the quality conditions of parks and establish strategies to motive the active use of those parks 30 .…”

“…al. 30 conducted a study in 174 parks of 25 cities in the United States and verified the positive association between socioeconomic level and size of parks (10.0 versus 7.8 acres, … continue p=0.003). The lack of association in this study can be explained by the small number of parks in the sample and their great variability in size.…”

“…al. 30 highlighted that parks with higher poverty had less supervised areas when compared to those of lower level of poverty (2.1 versus 4.5; p=0.012). Furthermore, for every additional area with supervised activities, the mean use of park increased in 48% and the mean time in moderate to vigorous physical activity in 37% 16 .…”

“…These are similar to the studies found in a systematic review describing the accessibility between 82-100% and usability between 85-100% 16 . However, parks in low socioeconomic level neighborhoods had supervision in 40.1% of the time; in contrast with 99.7% of parks in high socioeconomic levels areas 30 . Cohen et.…”