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Perceptions of Nature and Access to Green Space in Four Urban Neighborhoods

Author

Listed:
  • Justine S. Sefcik

    (School of Nursing, the University of Pennsylvania, Claire M. Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Michelle C. Kondo

    (Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 100 N. 20th St, Ste 205, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA)

  • Heather Klusaritz

    (Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, the Perelman School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania, 3737 Market St 9th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Elisa Sarantschin

    (NaturePHL Program, Department of Education, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagys Mill Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA)

  • Sara Solomon

    (Penn Injury Science Center, Perelman School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Abbey Roepke

    (Center for Public Health Initiatives, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Anatomy Chemistry Rm 141, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Eugenia C. South

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall 408, 423 Guardian Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Sara F. Jacoby

    (Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, the University of Pennsylvania, Claire M. Fagin Hall, room 412, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

Abstract

Health benefits have been linked to spending time outdoors in nature and green space. However, there is some evidence of inequities to accessing safe outdoor space, particularly in low-resource communities. The primary aim of this study is to assess attitudes towards nature and use of green space in urban areas. A secondary aim is to describe perceptions of physician-initiated nature prescriptions that target local pediatric populations. We conducted six focus group interviews with 42 residents who were guardians or caretakers of children living in low-resource neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA. We analyzed interview data using a conventional content analysis approach. Three major themes emerged: (1) perceived benefits of being in nature (physical and mental health benefits), (2) barriers to time spent in nature (unsafe and undesirable conditions of local parks), and (3) desired features of outdoor green spaces (amenities that would increase park use). Additionally, we describe participants’ reactions to the idea of a pediatrician-delivered prescription for outdoor green space exposure for a child in their care. Adherence to nature prescriptions programs may hinge on local green space resources, as well as experiential and perceptual barriers and facilitators to nature and park accessibility among caregivers tasked with fulfilling a nature prescription for a child in their care.

Suggested Citation

  • Justine S. Sefcik & Michelle C. Kondo & Heather Klusaritz & Elisa Sarantschin & Sara Solomon & Abbey Roepke & Eugenia C. South & Sara F. Jacoby, 2019. "Perceptions of Nature and Access to Green Space in Four Urban Neighborhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2313-:d:244141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kirsten M. M. Beyer & Andrea Kaltenbach & Aniko Szabo & Sandra Bogar & F. Javier Nieto & Kristen M. Malecki, 2014. "Exposure to Neighborhood Green Space and Mental Health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Nooshin Razani & Saam Morshed & Michael A Kohn & Nancy M Wells & Doug Thompson & Maoya Alqassari & Amaka Agodi & George W Rutherford, 2018. "Effect of park prescriptions with and without group visits to parks on stress reduction in low-income parents: SHINE randomized trial," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    4. Mika R. Moran & Pnina Plaut & Dafna Merom, 2017. "Is the Grass Always Greener in Suburban Neighborhoods? Outdoors Play in Suburban and Inner-City Neighborhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Michelle C. Kondo & Jaime M. Fluehr & Thomas McKeon & Charles C. Branas, 2018. "Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. 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.
    3. Jenny Veitch & Elliott Flowers & Kylie Ball & Benedicte Deforche & Anna Timperio, 2020. "Exploring Children’s Views on Important Park Features: A Qualitative Study Using Walk-Along Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Anand & Prodyut Bhattacharya, 2023. "Urbanites’ perceptions of green spaces and their roles in effective management: a survey-based study from Delhi, India," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 13(1), pages 31-42, March.
    5. Catherine M. Pichardo & Laura A. Dwyer & Rebecca A. Ferrer & April Y. Oh, 2024. "The Association of Context with Reported Self-Efficacy for Cancer-Preventive Behaviors and Perceived Cancer Risk in U.S. Adults from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-13, January.
    6. S.M. Labib & Faysal Kabir Shuvo & Matthew H. E. M. Browning & Alessandro Rigolon, 2020. "Noncommunicable Diseases, Park Prescriptions, and Urban Green Space Use Patterns in a Global South Context: The Case of Dhaka, Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, May.
    7. Cristina Ayala-Azcarraga & Daniel Diaz & Tania Fernandez & Fernando Cordova-Tapia & Luis Zambrano, 2023. "Uneven Distribution of Urban Green Spaces in Relation to Marginalization in Mexico City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-14, August.

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