Playground Design: Contribution to Duration of Stay and Implications for Physical Activity

Deborah A. Cohen (), Meghan Talarowski, Bing Han, Stephanie Williamson, Emily Galfond, Deborah R. Young, Sarah Eng and Thomas L. McKenzie
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Deborah A. Cohen: Kaiser Permanente Southern California Research and Evaluation, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Meghan Talarowski: Studio Ludo, Philadelphia, PA 19143, USA
Bing Han: Kaiser Permanente Southern California Research and Evaluation, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Stephanie Williamson: Research Programming Group, Information Services, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90407, USA
Emily Galfond: Studio Ludo, Philadelphia, PA 19143, USA
Deborah R. Young: Kaiser Permanente Southern California Research and Evaluation, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Sarah Eng: Kaiser Permanente Southern California Research and Evaluation, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
Thomas L. McKenzie: School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Background: The study goal was to identify playground features associated with visitor length of stay and physical activity. Methods: We observed playground visitors over 4 days during summer 2021 in 60 playgrounds in 10 US cities, selected based on design, population density, and poverty levels. We observed 4278 visitors and documented their length of stay. We observed an additional 3713 visitors for 8 min, recording their playground location, activity level, and use of electronic media. Results: People stayed an average of 32 min (range 5 min–4 h). Stay time varied by group size, with larger groups staying longer. The presence of restrooms increased the likelihood of staying longer by 48%. Playground size, mature trees, swings, climbers, and spinners were associated with longer stays. When a teen was a part of the group observed, the group was 64% less likely to stay longer. The use of electronic media was associated with lower amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to non-media users. Conclusions: To increase population-level physical activity and time spent outdoors, playground features associated with a longer stay should be considered when renovating or building new playgrounds.

Keywords: playgrounds; physical activity; design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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