Travel to, and use of, twenty-one Michigan trails

Price, Anna E.; Reed, Julian A.; Grost, Lisa; Harvey, C. A.; Mantinan, Karah

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.009

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Nevertheless, even those observed to be sedentary in parks likely derived some health benefit from the physical activity accumulated whilst traveling to and from the park. Active transportation is a common mode of transportation for reaching public recreational opportunities [ 43 ]. Creating and redesigning parks to include attributes and amenities that support both passive and active pursuits, therefore, could increase levels of physical activity in urban populations [ 44 , 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity patterns in urban neighbourhood parks: insights from a multiple case study

et al. 2014

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BackgroundMany characteristics of urban parks and neighbourhoods have been linked to patterns of physical activity, yet untangling these relationships to promote increased levels of physical activity presents methodological challenges. Based on qualitative and quantitative data, this article describes patterns of activity within urban parks and the socio-demographic characteristics of park visitors. It also accounts for these patterns in relation to the attributes of parks and their surrounding neighbourhoods.MethodsA multiple case study was undertaken that incorporated quantitative and qualitative data derived from first-hand observation in a purposive sample of four urban parks. Quantitative data, based on direct observation of visitors’ patterns of use and socio-demographic characteristics, were collected using a structured instrument. Differences in frequencies of observed activities and socio-demographic characteristics of visitors were compared between the four parks. Qualitative data, based on direct observation of park characteristics and patterns of use, were generated through digital photography and analyzed through captioning. Quantitative data on patterns in activity and socio-demographic characteristics were synthesized with the qualitative data on park and usage characteristics.ResultsA comprehensive portrait of each park in the study was generated. Activity types (sedentary, walking, dog-related, cycling, and play), patterns of park use (time of day, day of week), and socio-demographic characteristics (age group, social group) differed between the four parks. Patterns in park use and activity appeared to be associated with socio-demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighbourhoods as well as the physical and social environmental characteristics specific to each park.ConclusionsBoth park and neighbourhood characteristics influence patterns of use and physical activity within parks. The study findings suggest that socio-demographic characteristics of neighbourhoods surrounding parks need be considered in planning, development and management. Engaging local communities could help planners to develop and update urban parks in ways that reflect the needs and characteristics of community residents and, in turn, encourage visits and more physical activity amongst visitors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-962) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity patterns in urban neighbourhood parks: insights from a multiple case study

et al. 2014

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“…In fact, several studies have shown that urban trail users are predominately White, male, wealthy, and well educated. [13][14][15][16][17] Furuseth and Altman characterized users of a Raleigh, NC trailway as being well-educated and employed and having above average incomes. 18 There is evidence to suggest that free physical activity resources, such as sidewalks and streetlights, may be more prevalent in lower-income areas or some racial/ethnic neighborhoods; 19,20 however, other studies have found that there are fewer physical activity resources in low-income and/or racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods.…”

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confidence: 99%

Walking Trail Use among a Sample of Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian Adult Walkers

McNeill

Murguiaa²,

Nguyen³

et al. 2015

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

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Background: Walking trails are positively associated with physical activity; however, few studies have been conducted among diverse communities. We sought to describe trail use and the physical and social environmental correlates of trail use in a racially/ethnically diverse sample. Methods: We administered an on-site trail intercept survey to walkers on a trail (N = 175).We assessed frequency/duration of trail use, reasons for using the trail, perceptions of the trail, demographics and BMI. Results: Walkers were primarily young (mean age = 37.8 years, SD = 11.8) and overweight (mean BMI = 25.2 kg/m2, SD = 4.2). Time spent on the trail and frequency of trail use differed significantly by age (P = .004) but not race/ethnicity. Perceptions of the trail differed significantly by sex and race/ethnicity (P-values = .001, .014, respectively). In regression models, different factors predicted time spent on the trail and frequency of trail use. Conclusions: Walkers were frequent users of the trail and cited many favorable features of the trail that encouraged their use. Duration and frequency of trail use did not differ by race/ethnicity or sex, thereby indicating that when provided with safe access, racial/ethnic minorities and women may be likely to use trails at rates similar to those of Whites and men.

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“…Nevertheless, the stationary activity of dog-walkers and non-dog-walkers in parks might be compensated by the health benefits gained through social interactions with other park users ( Umberson and Montez, 2010 , Graham and Glover, 2014 ), and the experience of nature within the park ( Bowler et al, 2010 , Lee and Maheswaran, 2010 , Francis et al, 2012 ). Based on evidence elsewhere ( Lee et al, 2009 , Price et al, 2013 ), the location of the parks in our study likely encouraged active transportation among most park visitors, hence contributing health benefits ( Temple et al, 2011 , Berrigan et al, 2006 , Xu et al, 2013 , Pucher et al, 2010 ). Calgary has over 150 neighbourhood and regional off-leash areas, such that the majority of households are within walking or cycling distance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Changes in visitor profiles and activity patterns following dog supportive modifications to parks: A natural experiment on the health impact of an urban policy

McCormack

Graham

Swanson

et al. 2016

SSM - Population Health

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Urban parks are important settings for physical activity, but few natural experiments have investigated the influences of park modifications on activity patterns and visitor profiles.We assessed the impact of implementing a municipal policy on off-leash dogs in city parks in Calgary (Alberta, Canada). Systematic observation undertaken in 2011 and 2012 within four parks captured patterns of use, activities, and visitors׳ characteristics. After baseline data collection, off-leash areas were created in two parks only. We compared changes in the sociodemographic and activity profiles in all parks between 2011 and 2012. Visitors with dogs participated in less intense activity relative to visitors without dogs. In both modified parks, the intensity of children׳s activities decreased, while the intensity of adults’ activities remained stable. Adjusting for visitor characteristics, the likelihood of dog-related visits, relative to other activities, significantly decreased in one of the two modified parks (odds ratio 0.55, p<.05). Accommodating off-leash dogs in parks has the potential to modify activities undertaken inside parks as well as the profile of visitors, but may not increase park visits among dog-walkers in the short term. Recreation, park, and urban planners and policy-makers need to consider the needs and preferences of the broader community in the design and redesign of public parks.

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Travel to, and use of, twenty-one Michigan trails

Cited by 8 publications

References 11 publications

Physical activity patterns in urban neighbourhood parks: insights from a multiple case study

Physical activity patterns in urban neighbourhood parks: insights from a multiple case study

Walking Trail Use among a Sample of Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian Adult Walkers

Changes in visitor profiles and activity patterns following dog supportive modifications to parks: A natural experiment on the health impact of an urban policy

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