Using participatory GIS to measure physical activity and urban park benefits (original) (raw)
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GIS to measure physical activity and rban park benefits
2013
Previous urban park research has used self-reported surveys and physical activity logs to examine associations between physical activity and park features, size, and distance to participants’ homes. In this study, we used participatory geographic information systems (GIS) methods to explore potential correlates of physical activity and other health benefits in urban parks. Using an internet-based public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) system, study participants identified the spatial locations where they engaged in various types of physical activity and where they received other park
A B S T R A C T Traditional urban park research has used self-reported surveys and activity logs to examine relationships between health benefits, park use, and park features. An alternative approach uses participating mapping methods. This study sought to validate and expand on previous participatory mapping research methods and findings and address spatial scaling by applying these methods to a large urban park system. Key challenges for spatial scaling included ambiguity in park classification and achieving representative sampling for larger and spatially-dis-bursed urban residents. We designed an internet-based public participation GIS (PPGIS) survey and used household and volunteer sampling to identify the type and locations of urban park benefits. Study participants (n = 816) identified locations of physical activities and other urban park benefits (psychological, social, and environmental) which were analyzed by park type. Consistent with previous suburb-scale research, we found significant associations between urban park type and different urban park benefits. Linear parks were significantly associated with higher intensity physical activities; natural parks were associated with environmental benefits; and community parks were associated with benefits from social interaction. Neighborhood parks emerged as significantly associated with psychological benefits. The diversity of park activities and benefits were positively correlated with park size. Distance analysis confirmed that physical benefits of parks were closest to participant domicile, while social and environmental benefits were more distant. These results validate previous suburb-scale findings despite greater variability in park types and sample populations. Future urban park research using participatory mapping would benefit from greater effort to obtain participation from under-represented populations that can induce nonresponse bias, and analyses to determine whether system-wide results can be disaggregated by suburb or neighborhood to address social inequities in urban park benefits.
Health & place, 2010
Given that recent literature reviews on physical activity in urban parks deliberately excluded qualitative findings, we reviewed qualitative research on this topic informed by a published classification scheme based on quantitative research. Twenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies relied mainly on semi-structured interviews with individuals or in focus groups; only five studies involved in situ observation. Our synthesis aligns with previous quantitative research showing that attributes including safety, aesthetics, amenities, maintenance, and proximity are important for encouraging park use. Furthermore, our synthesis of qualitative research suggests that perceptions of the social environment entwine inextricably with perceptions of the physical environment. If so, physical attributes of parks as well as perceptions of these attributes (formed in relation to broader social contexts) may influence physical activity patterns. Both qualitative and quantitative methods provide useful information for interpreting such patterns, and in particular, when designing and assessing interventions intended to improve the amount and intensity of physical activity.
Physical activity patterns in urban neighbourhood parks: insights from a multiple case study
2014
Background: Many 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.
The significance of parks to physical activity and public health:: A conceptual model
American Journal of Preventive …, 2005
Park-based physical activity is a promising means to satisfy current physical activity requirements. However, there is little research concerning what park environmental and policy characteristics might enhance physical activity levels. This study proposes a conceptual model to guide thinking and suggest hypotheses. This framework describes the relationships between park benefits, park use, and physical activity, and the antecedents/correlates of park use. In this classification scheme, the discussion focuses on park environmental characteristics that could be related to physical activity, including park features, condition, access, aesthetics, safety, and policies. Data for these categories should be collected within specific geographic areas in or around the park, including activity areas, supporting areas, the overall park, and the surrounding neighborhood. Future research should focus on how to operationalize specific measures and methodologies for collecting data, as well as measuring associations between individual physical activity levels and specific park characteristics. Collaboration among many disciplines is needed. (Am J Prev Med 2005;28(2S2):159 -168)
Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP
Community collaboration and active engagement of neighborhood residents in park redesign are promising strategies for creating public spaces that support physical activity. This research brief describes the process of community engagement and discusses outcomes of a participatory park redesign project. A community design charrette was held in collaboration with community organizations. Environmental audits of park features and amenities were completed before and after implementation of park redesign. A guided discussion with stakeholders following the park redesign was conducted to discuss challenges, successes, and next steps. Although level of activity among youth observed in the post implementation observations did not differ, there were a greater variety of activities observed among both children and adolescents. Furthermore, the goals of the project related to capacity building and meeting residents' needs were accomplished. Active participation of residents in a neighborho...
BMC public health, 2016
The built environment plays a critical role in promoting physical activity and health. The association between parks, as a key attribute of the built environment, and physical activity, however, remains inconclusive. This project leverages a natural experiment opportunity to assess the impact of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), a citywide park redesign and renovation effort in New York City, on physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing. The project will use a longitudinal design with matched controls. Thirty intervention park neighborhoods are socio-demographically matched to 20 control park neighborhoods. The study will investigate whether improvements in physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing are observed from baseline to 3 years post-renovation among residents in intervention vs. control neighborhoods. This study represents a rare opportunity to provide robust evidence to further our...
Building an urban park increases the intention of adults to practice physical activity
Motriz: Revista de Educação Física, 2016
Physical activity levels in adults are low and strategies should be put in place to change this. The aim of this study was to investigate whether building an urban park can increase adult neighborhood residents' intentions to partake in physical activity. In total, 395 adults living near where the park was being built participated in the study. The following information was collected: sociodemographic characteristics, current physical activity levels, and intention to use the park for physical activity. Around 80% of the subjects intended to use the park for physical activity. This frequency was higher among those who were classified as physically active and gradually higher as the distance between the home of the subject and the park decreased (p < 0.05). The offer of a public leisure space can contribute positively to changing population behavior related to regular physical activity.
2014
Public parks can play a substantial role in increasing physical activity (PA) because they offer a wide range of either free or low-cost activities. For many Americans, there are limitations on the environment and resources where they can be physically active. Parks are important resources for promoting PA, yet few studies have examined how preferences of park features relate to physical activity levels and socioeconomic status (SES). This study investigated associations between city park use and PA levels across low and higher SES groups. A secondary purpose of the study was to assess the association between preferences of park features used for PA and PA levels across low and higher SES groups. Data were collected via questionnaire from 318 city residents. Descriptive analysis provided means, standard deviations and frequencies. Independent t-tests were run to examine the differences among low and higher SES residents' survey responses. A chi-square test was used to determine the association between a being physical activity at a park (Yes/No) and IPAQ categories. An additional chisquare test was used to determine the association between a having a neighborhood park present (Yes/No) and IPAQ categories, income category and IPAQ categories. A Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationship of minutes of self-reported park usage and self-reported minutes per week of physical activity from the IPAQ. Finally, binary logistic regression models were used to assess (a) park-based physical activity was related to physical activity from the IPAQ; and (b) the a relationship between specific park features and meeting physical activity guidelines from the IPAQ. Binary logistic regression models were calculated individually for low SES, high SES, and total sample. All the logistics regression analyses were adjusted for age and gender. The significance level was set at alpha ≤ .05. Responses for open-ended survey questions were qualitatively examined. The researcher first read through all comments several times to become familiar with the content. Then meaning units were created and coded based on words or statements that communicate the same central meaning through their content. The results of this study indicated a positive relationship between park-based PA and PA measured by the IPAQ. The most visited parks' main features were open space, trails, and sidewalks. Participants reported using open space, trails, and sidewalks the most. There were no differences in either park use or park features used for physical activity by SES group. Specific park features were not related with PA levels (p>.05). Adults who reported being physically active at a park were more likely to meet PA recommendations compared to those not active at a park (OR= 2.01, 95% CI= 1.20-3.36). A similar finding was observed for the high SES group (OR=1.90, 95% CI=1.05-3.50), but not the low SES group (OR=2.35, 95% CI=0.8-6.90). Better measuring and understanding how the park preferences of city residents are associated with physical activity and health may improve the understanding of how parks facilitate active living.