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A Walk in the Park: The Influence of Urban Parks and Community Violence on Physical Activity in Chelsea, MA

Author

Listed:
  • Judy Y. Ou

    (Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Jonathan I. Levy

    (Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Junenette L. Peters

    (Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Roseann Bongiovanni

    (Chelsea Collaborative, Chelsea, MA 02150, USA)

  • Jovanna Garcia-Soto

    (Chelsea Collaborative, Chelsea, MA 02150, USA)

  • Rafael Medina

    (Chelsea Collaborative, Chelsea, MA 02150, USA)

  • Madeleine K. Scammell

    (Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

Abstract

Proximity to a park does not necessarily imply access or use, and the social environment may positively or negatively influence the positive intentions of the built environment. To investigate parks, park use and physical activity, and their associations with exposure to community violence, we interviewed residents ( n = 354) of a densely populated urban community. Our findings indicate that proximity to any park is not associated with physical activity. However, proximity to the preferred park reported by residents to be conducive for physical activity (with walking paths, large fields, playgrounds for children and tennis courts) was associated with physical activity. Conversely, knowledge of sexual assault or rape in the neighborhood is inversely associated with every type of physical activity (park-based, outdoor, and indoor). Our findings suggest that improvements to the built environment (parks, green spaces) may be hindered by adverse social environments and both are necessary for consideration in the design of public health interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Judy Y. Ou & Jonathan I. Levy & Junenette L. Peters & Roseann Bongiovanni & Jovanna Garcia-Soto & Rafael Medina & Madeleine K. Scammell, 2016. "A Walk in the Park: The Influence of Urban Parks and Community Violence on Physical Activity in Chelsea, MA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:97-:d:61661
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kaczynski, A.T. & Potwarka, L.R. & Saelens P, B.E., 2008. "Association of park size, distance, and features with physical activity in neighborhood parks," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(8), pages 1451-1456.
    2. Cohen, D.A. & McKenzie, T.L. & Sehgal, A. & Williamson, S. & Golinelli, D. & Lurie, N., 2007. "Contribution of public parks to physical activity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(3), pages 509-514.
    3. Wright, R.J. & Mitchell, H. & Visness, C.M. & Cohen, S. & Stout, J. & Evans, R. & Gold, D.R., 2004. "Community Violence and Asthma Morbidity: The Inner-City Asthma Study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(4), pages 625-632.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosario Padial-Ruz & Mª Esther Puga-González & Álvaro Céspedes-Jiménez & David Cabello-Manrique, 2021. "Determining Factors in the Use of Urban Parks That Influence the Practice of Physical Activity in Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Margarita Triguero-Mas & David Donaire-Gonzalez & Edmund Seto & Antònia Valentín & Graham Smith & David Martínez & Glòria Carrasco-Turigas & Daniel Masterson & Magdalena Van den Berg & Albert Ambròs &, 2017. "Living Close to Natural Outdoor Environments in Four European Cities: Adults’ Contact with the Environments and Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Eve Burrows & Margaret O’Mahony & Dermot Geraghty, 2018. "How Urban Parks Offer Opportunities for Physical Activity in Dublin, Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, April.
    4. Sigit D. Arifwidodo & Orana Chandrasiri & Niramon Rasri & Wipada Sirawarong & Panitat Rattanawichit & Natsiporn Sangyuan, 2022. "Association between Park Visitation and Physical Activity among Adults in Bangkok, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Ying Xu & Sarah Ann Wheeler & Alec Zuo, 2022. "The Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Participation and Physical Activities in Parks: A Systematic Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Kathleen Hibbert & Nicolle S. Tulve, 2019. "State-of-the-Science Review of Non-Chemical Stressors Found in a Child’s Social Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-27, November.

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