Renovations of neighbourhood parks: long-term outcomes on physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Neighbourhood parks are places designed to support physical activity, but are often underutilised. Park renovations are major improvements to the quality of these spaces and usually attract more park users. This study assessed changes in the use of six San Francisco neighbourhood parks and park-based physical activity levels over a 6-year period, during which five of the six parks were renovated. METHODS: We used direct observation to assess park-based physical activity. We used a stepped-wedge study design at three time points in all six parks over 6 years (before all parks were renovated, after two parks were renovated and after an additional three were renovated) to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of park renovations. RESULTS: Levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and metabolic equivalent hours expended in the parks increased overall, most immediately after renovation. Age groups responded differently with the largest increases in park use and MVPA among adults and children under age 12, with no changes among teens and seniors. CONCLUSIONS: Park renovations attracted more users and increased park-based MVPA than non-renovated parks and sustained increases over time for adults and children, but not teens or seniors. Park renovations that consider and provide facilities that support varied levels of physical activity and cater to all age groups may foster increased park-based physical activity that can be sustained.

Strategic and integrated planning for healthy, connected cities: Chattanooga case study.

The United States is facing unprecedented health challenges - such as obesity and cardiovascular disease - many of which are related to a lack of or insufficient physical activity. Maintaining or creating parks and other public recreation facilities that promote physical activity is particularly important for combating these. This brief describes a strategic planning initiative, known as "Healthy, Connected Chattanooga." The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, partnered with The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit organization, to analyze the city for physical activity opportunities and identify areas where interventions were of highest need. Interventions include the creation of new parks and the activation of existing ones through the installation of fitness facilities known as Fitness Zones®. Maps and an on-line decision-support tool (web portal) were developed between 2013 and 2015, and are being used by the city to make strategic investment decisions. The decision-support analysis described in this brief has engaged a wide variety of stakeholders, opened the door to a broader base of funding sources for health-related interventions, and provided evidence for discussions about equity, access to resources, and prioritization of future projects. This brief presents a framework for integrating scientific models with community and social metrics, enabling more complete and accurate understanding of cities and the identification of more equitable, strategic, and investable solutions to current and pressing challenges.

Impact of park renovations on park use and park-based 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.

Partnerships for parks and physical activity.

PURPOSE: Given the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary active living interventions, this article describes an innovative partnership for park design and evaluation. DESIGN: The Trust for Public Land partnered with the RAND Corporation and the San Francisco Department of Public Health to generate context-sensitive active park design, establish evaluation methods, and build the framework for future collaboration. SETTING: These partners worked together from 2009 to 2012 to design, renovate, and study parks in San Francisco, California. SUBJECTS: The three partnering organizations are the focus of this article. INTERVENTION: The Trust for Public Land's Parks for People-Bay Area Program raised more than $16 million to renovate three San Francisco parks, which served as the intervention for a study that initially brought the three partnering organizations together. MEASURES: The authors, who represent the three partners, collaborated to develop the lessons learned. ANALYSIS: This article is a description and commentary about a partnership that emphasized community involvement and rigorous evaluation. RESULTS: Lessons learned and elements for successful partnerships include collaborating with organizations with differing expertise, deciding upon goals initially, finding a common language, involving local communities, and recognizing the importance and appropriate role of evaluations. CONCLUSION: The model for collaboration and community involvement presented supports and encourages other organizations to use strategic, multidisciplinary partnerships and highlights the importance of evaluation.