If you build it will they come.pdf (647.98 kB)
Download fileIf You Build It Will They Come? Does Involving Community Groups in Playground Renovations Affect Park Utilization and Physical Activity?
journal contribution
posted on 2016-12-08, 00:00 authored by Slater S, Pugach O, Lin W, Bontu AIn a sample of racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods, using a quasiexperimental,
prospective, longitudinal study design, we examined whether involvement of
community groups in playground design selection, installation, and ongoing maintenance
influences park utilization and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) post-playground
renovations (N=78 matched parks, 39 intervention/39 control). Parks were matched on size,
proximity, neighborhood SES, and race/ethnicity. In summer/fall 2013 and 2014 baseline and
12-month follow up data were collected on park utilization and PA, presence and condition of
park features, incivilities, programming, and safety. Analyses were conducted using Poisson
mixed-effects regression models. Significant increases between baseline and 12-month follow
up were found for park utilization and the number of people engaged in MVPA at the 0.05
significance level. Study results can provide communities with evidence to inform future policy
decisions on how to increase park utilization in diverse neighborhoods.