Evaluating Park Use and Satisfaction: The Case of Trojan Park in St. Louis Missouri

Diana C. Parra, Alexandria Van Zandt, Peter Wang, Micah Goodman, Janardan Abhishek, Debra Haire-Joshu and Ross C. Brownson
Additional contact information
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
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

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-13

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.

Keywords: parks; fitness zones; SOPARC; physical activity; multigenerational playground (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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