How important is perception of safety to park use? A four-city survey.

PURPOSE

To determine individual- and park-related characteristics associated with adults visiting their closest neighborhood park and involvement in sports, walking, and sedentary activities.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Neighborhoods surrounding 24 parks in four United States metropolitan areas.

SUBJECTS

Adults (N = 3,815) (25% African American, 12% Hispanic, and 56% Non-Hispanic White) living within .5 mile of one of 24 public parks.

MEASURES

Anonymous surveys and park observations.

ANALYSIS

Chi-square statistics and logistic regression including individual and park characteristics.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven percent reported never having visited their park; 16% reported using it for regular exercise. Respondents who perceived the parks as safe or very safe had 4.6 times the odds of visiting the parks. Active sports participation was associated with being male, ages 18 to 24, and of African American heritage. Walking was associated with being female, age 47+, and reporting fair or poor health. Females, Hispanics, and those reporting fair/poor health were more likely to report sedentary activities. Park characteristics associated with park use included fewer physical incivilities, closer proximity to homes, more facilities, and organized activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceptions of park safety were strongly associated with ever having visited a respective park, while park characteristics appeared to influence the types of activities performed. Increasing the number of organized activities and offering a variety of different facilities may encourage park use.