A cross-sectional investigation of the importance of park features for promoting regular physical activity in parks

Sarah A. Costigan, Jenny Veitch, David Crawford, Alison Carver, Anna Timperio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Parks in the US and Australia are generally underutilised, and park visitors typically engage in low levels of physical activity (PA). Better understanding park features that may encourage visitors to be active is important. This study examined the perceived importance of park features for encouraging park-based PA and examined differences by sex, age, parental-status and participation in PA. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were completed by local residents (n = 2775) living near two parks (2013/2015). Demographic variables, park visitation and leisure-time PA were self-reported, respondents rated the importance of 20 park features for encouraging park-based PA in the next fortnight. Chi-square tests of independence examined differences in importance of park features for PA among sub-groups of local residents (sex, age, parental-status, PA). Results: Park features ranked most important for park-based PA were: well maintained (96.2%), feel safe (95.4%), relaxing atmosphere (91.2%), easy to get to (91.7%), and shady trees (90.3%). All subgroups ranked ‘well maintained’ as most important. Conclusions: Natural and built environment features of parks are important for promoting adults’ park-based PA, and should be considered in park (re)design.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1335
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume14
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adults
  • Park features
  • Park use
  • Physical activity

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