BACKGROUND: Given the concerns about low rates of physical activity among low-income minority youth, many community-based organizations are investing in the creation or renovation of public parks to encourage youth to become more physically active. To what degree park renovations accomplish this goal is not known. METHODS: We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to measure park users and their physical activity levels before and after 2 parks were renovated. We compared findings with 4 parks: 2 that were unrenovated parks and 2 that were undergoing renovation. We also surveyed park users and local residents about their use of the parks. RESULTS: Compared with parks that had not yet been renovated, the improved parks saw more than a doubling in the number of visitors and a substantial increase in energy expended in the parks. Increased park use was pronounced in adults and children, but was not seen in teens and seniors. Park renovations were associated with a significantly increased perception of park safety. CONCLUSIONS: Park improvements can have a significant impact on increasing park use and local physical activity.
BACKGROUND: Given the concerns about low rates of physical activity among low-income minority youth, many community-based organizations are investing in the creation or renovation of public parks to encourage youth to become more physically active. To what degree park renovations accomplish this goal is not known. METHODS: We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to measure park users and their physical activity levels before and after 2 parks were renovated. We compared findings with 4 parks: 2 that were unrenovated parks and 2 that were undergoing renovation. We also surveyed park users and local residents about their use of the parks. RESULTS: Compared with parks that had not yet been renovated, the improved parks saw more than a doubling in the number of visitors and a substantial increase in energy expended in the parks. Increased park use was pronounced in adults and children, but was not seen in teens and seniors. Park renovations were associated with a significantly increased perception of park safety. CONCLUSIONS: Park improvements can have a significant impact on increasing park use and local physical activity.
Authors: Deborah A Cohen; Thomas L McKenzie; Amber Sehgal; Stephanie Williamson; Daniela Golinelli; Nicole Lurie Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-01-31 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Catherine N Rasberry; Sarah M Lee; Leah Robin; B A Laris; Lisa A Russell; Karin K Coyle; Allison J Nihiser Journal: Prev Med Date: 2011-02-01 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Richard P Troiano; David Berrigan; Kevin W Dodd; Louise C Mâsse; Timothy Tilert; Margaret McDowell Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Deborah A Cohen; Terry Marsh; Stephanie Williamson; Kathryn Pitkin Derose; Homero Martinez; Claude Setodji; Thomas L McKenzie Journal: Prev Med Date: 2009-10-19 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: I-Min Lee; Eric J Shiroma; Felipe Lobelo; Pekka Puska; Steven N Blair; Peter T Katzmarzyk Journal: Lancet Date: 2012-07-21 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Sara E Benjamin Neelon; Rebecca J Namenek Brouwer; Truls Østbye; Kelly R Evenson; Brian Neelon; Annie Martinie; Gary Bennett Journal: Child Obes Date: 2015-05-04 Impact factor: 2.992
Authors: Andrea S Richardson; Madhumita Ghosh-Dastidar; Rebecca L Collins; Gerald P Hunter; Wendy M Troxel; Natalie Colabianchi; Deborah A Cohen; Tamara Dubowitz Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2020-04 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Gregory Knell; Henry S Brown; Kelley P Gabriel; Casey P Durand; Kerem Shuval; Deborah Salvo; Harold W Kohl Journal: J Phys Act Health Date: 2019-04-13
Authors: Deborah A Cohen; Bing Han; Catherine J Nagel; Peter Harnik; Thomas L McKenzie; Kelly R Evenson; Terry Marsh; Stephanie Williamson; Christine Vaughan; Sweatha Katta Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2016-05-18 Impact factor: 5.043