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Parra DC, Van Zandt A, Wang P, Goodman M, Abhishek J, Haire-Joshu D, Brownson RC. Evaluating Park Use and Satisfaction: The Case of Trojan Park in St. Louis Missouri. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16152798. [PMID: 31390742 PMCID: PMC6696297 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Providing public access to exercise and play is vital for health promotion across populations. We evaluated the use of and satisfaction at Trojan Park, a multigenerational playground with multiple activity areas and fitness zones in the city of Wellston in St. Louis County, MO. Methods: We used video footage and the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC), which is a valid and reliable system for collecting data on physical activity in parks. We then performed intercept interviews to gather user information and measure overall satisfaction with the park. Results: The park received a variety of attendees across age groups, with children and middle-aged adults representing 41.1% and 50.3% of total park users, respectively. During the time observed, 47% of attendees were engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 22% were engaged in light physical activity (walking), and 30% were sedentary. We also observed participants spending the most time on the basketball court (38%), playground (28%), and picnic (17%) areas. Park users traveled a wide range of distances to access the park and the overwhelming majority reported a high level of satisfaction. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that multigenerational playgrounds with access to various activities and fitness zones may provide social and physical health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C Parra
- Program in Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 4444 Forest Park Ave, Campus Box 8502, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
| | - Alexandria Van Zandt
- Program in Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 4444 Forest Park Ave, Campus Box 8502, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Peter Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Micah Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Janardan Abhishek
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Debra Haire-Joshu
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Center for Diabetes Translation Research, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Ross C Brownson
- Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Surgery (Division of Public Health Sciences) and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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