IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i17p6102-d402384.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Examining Health-Related Effects of Refurbishment to Parks in a Lower Socioeconomic Area: The ShadePlus Natural Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Suzanne J. Dobbinson

    (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Jody Simmons

    (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • James A. Chamberlain

    (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Robert J. MacInnis

    (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
    Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Jo Salmon

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Petra K. Staiger

    (School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Melanie Wakefield

    (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Jenny Veitch

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

Abstract

Degraded parks in disadvantaged areas are underutilized for recreation, which may impact long-term health. Using a natural experiment, we examined the effects of local government refurbishments to parks (n = 3 intervention; n = 3 comparison) in low socioeconomic areas (LSEA) of Melbourne on park use, health behavior, social engagement and psychological well-being. Amenities promoting physical activity and sun protection included walking paths, playground equipment and built shade. Outcomes were measured via systematic observations, and self-report surveys of park visitors over three years. The refurbishments significantly increased park use, while shade use increased only in parks with shade sails. A trend for increased social engagement was also detected. Findings infer improvement of quality, number and type of amenities in degraded parks can substantially increase park use in LSEA. Findings support provision of shade over well-designed playgrounds in future park refurbishments to enhance engagement and sun protection behavior. Further research should identify park amenities to increase physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne J. Dobbinson & Jody Simmons & James A. Chamberlain & Robert J. MacInnis & Jo Salmon & Petra K. Staiger & Melanie Wakefield & Jenny Veitch, 2020. "Examining Health-Related Effects of Refurbishment to Parks in a Lower Socioeconomic Area: The ShadePlus Natural Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6102-:d:402384
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6102/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6102/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sarah A. Costigan & Jenny Veitch & David Crawford & Alison Carver & Anna Timperio, 2017. "A Cross-Sectional Investigation of the Importance of Park Features for Promoting Regular Physical Activity in Parks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Buller, D.B. & English, D.R. & Buller, M.K. & Simmons, J. & Chamberlain, J.A. & Wakefield, M. & Dobbinson, S., 2017. "Shade sails and passive recreation in public parks of Melbourne and Denver: A randomized intervention," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(12), pages 1869-1875.
    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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wenbo Li & Jiaqi Wu & Wenting Xu & Ye Zhong & Zhihao Wang, 2022. "How Thermal Perceptual Schema Mediates Landscape Quality Evaluation and Activity Willingness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-27, October.
    2. Suzanne Jane Dobbinson & David Bard Buller & James Andrew Chamberlain & Jody Simmons & Mary Klein Buller, 2022. "Solar UV Measured under Built-Shade in Public Parks: Findings from a Randomized Trial in Denver and Melbourne," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-25, August.
    3. Phi-Yen Nguyen & Thomas Astell-Burt & Hania Rahimi-Ardabili & Xiaoqi Feng, 2021. "Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-38, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Titus Bazac & Sorin Marin & Cosmin Olteanu & Anca Hotoi, 2023. "Sustainable Management Decisions for Urban Historical Parks: A Case Study Based on Online Referential Values of Carol I Park in Bucharest, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-26, October.
    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. 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.
    4. Yang Yang & Zhifang Wang & Guangsi Lin, 2021. "Performance Assessment Indicators for Comparing Recreational Services of Urban Parks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-21, March.
    5. Elena Prioreschi & Nici Zimmermann & Michael Davies & Irene Pluchinotta, 2024. "Interrelationships and Trade-Offs between Urban Natural Space Use and Biodiversity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-29, May.
    6. Stephanie L. Orstad & Kristin Szuhany & Kosuke Tamura & Lorna E. Thorpe & Melanie Jay, 2020. "Park Proximity and Use for Physical Activity among Urban Residents: Associations with Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Yunwon Choi & Heeyeun Yoon, 2020. "Do the Walkability and Urban Leisure Amenities of Neighborhoods Affect the Body Mass Index of Individuals? Based on a Case Study in Seoul, South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Suzanne Jane Dobbinson & David Bard Buller & James Andrew Chamberlain & Jody Simmons & Mary Klein Buller, 2022. "Solar UV Measured under Built-Shade in Public Parks: Findings from a Randomized Trial in Denver and Melbourne," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-25, August.
    9. K. Thoonen & L. van Osch & H. de Vries & S. Jongen & F. Schneider, 2020. "Are Environmental Interventions Targeting Skin Cancer Prevention among Children and Adolescents Effective? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-29, January.
    10. Michaela James & Mustafa Rasheed & Amrita Bandyopadhyay & Marianne Mannello & Emily Marchant & Sinead Brophy, 2022. "The Effect COVID Has Had on the Wants and Needs of Children in Terms of Play: Text Mining the Qualitative Response of the Happen Primary School Survey with 20,000 Children in Wales, UK between 2016 an," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, October.
    11. Niamh Smith & Ronan Foley & Michail Georgiou & Zoë Tieges & Sebastien Chastin, 2022. "Urban Blue Spaces as Therapeutic Landscapes: “A Slice of Nature in the City”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    12. Meredith Perry & Lucy Cotes & Benjamin Horton & Rebecca Kunac & Isaac Snell & Blake Taylor & Abbey Wright & Hemakumar Devan, 2021. "“Enticing” but Not Necessarily a “Space Designed for Me”: Experiences of Urban Park Use by Older Adults with Disability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-19, January.
    13. Xue Zhang & Mildred E. Warner & Elaine Wethington, 2020. "Can Age-Friendly Planning Promote Equity in Community Health Across the Rural-Urban Divide in the US?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-16, February.
    14. Catalina Medina & Annel Hernández & Maria E. Hermosillo-Gallardo & Célida I. Gómez Gámez & Eugen Resendiz & Maricruz Morales & Claudia Nieto & Mildred Moreno & Simón Barquera, 2022. "Development and Validation of the Mexican Public Open Spaces Tool (MexPOS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, July.
    15. Claudia Fongar & Geir Aamodt & Thomas B. Randrup & Ingjerd Solfjeld, 2019. "Does Perceived Green Space Quality Matter? Linking Norwegian Adult Perspectives on Perceived Quality to Motivation and Frequency of Visits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, July.
    16. Xinxin Wang & Chengzhao Wu, 2020. "An Observational Study of Park Attributes and Physical Activity in Neighborhood Parks of Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-16, March.
    17. Thomas Morgenthaler & Christina Schulze & Duncan Pentland & Helen Lynch, 2023. "Environmental Qualities That Enhance Outdoor Play in Community Playgrounds from the Perspective of Children with and without Disabilities: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, January.
    18. Young, Anisa & Tucker, Emily L. & Fernandez, Mariela & White, David & Brookover, Robert & Harris, Brandon, 2024. "An optimization approach to improve equitable access to local parks," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    19. 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.
    20. Mariya Geneshka & Peter Coventry & Joana Cruz & Simon Gilbody, 2021. "Relationship between Green and Blue Spaces with Mental and Physical Health: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Observational Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-29, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6102-:d:402384. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.