摘要：Objectives. Parks provide places for people to experience nature, engage in physical activity, and relax. We studied how residents in low-income, minority communities use public, urban neighborhood parks and how parks contribute to physical activity. Methods. In 8 public parks, we used direct observation to document the number, gender, race/ethnicity, age group, and activity level of park users 4 times per day, 7 days per week. We also interviewed 713 park users and 605 area residents living within 2 miles of each park. Results. On average, over 2000 individuals were counted in each park, and about two thirds were sedentary when observed. More males than females used the parks, and males were twice as likely to be vigorously active. Interviewees identified the park as the most common place they exercised. Both park use and exercise levels of individuals were predicted by proximity of their residence to the park. Conclusions. Public parks are critical resources for physical activity in minority communities. Because residential proximity is strongly associated with physical activity and park use, the number and location of parks are currently insufficient to serve local populations well. Given the growing consensus that the environment plays a key role in promoting energy expenditure, 1 – 3 expanding opportunities to increase physical activity is a promising means of addressing sedentary behaviors associated with a variety of chronic illness. 4 , 5 Fewer than half of all Americans regularly engage in health-protective physical activity. 6 , 7 Increasing population-level physical activity could require substantial changes in our everyday environment. 8 Public parks may have an important role to play in facilitating physical activity. 9 , 10 They provide places for individuals to walk or jog, and many have specific facilities for sports, exercise, and other vigorous activities. Nearly 80% of Americans make use of services provided by local recreation departments, 11 but parks are often used for purposes other than physical activity. 12 – 14 Fredric Olmstead, the “father” of urban parks, thought parks should be built as places where city residents could experience the beauty of nature, breathe fresh air, and have a place for “receptive” recreation (music and art appreciation) as well as “exertive” activities (sports as well as games like chess). 15 Parks are also places where people can socialize with friends and neighbors. In other words, parks can play a role in facilitating physical activity, but do not necessarily do so; indeed, parks also provide opportunities for people to engage in sedentary behavior. Information on who uses public parks and what they do there can elucidate the current and potential contribution of parks to physical activity. 14 In studies of neighborhoods in Australia, Giles-Corti et al. found that walking was associated with access to attractive, large, public open spaces, 16 and respondents used recreational facilities located near their homes more than facilities located elsewhere. Owen et al. 17 reviewed 18 studies and found many environmental features, such as aesthetics and the presence of hills, were associated with self-reported physical activity, although none of those studies objectively examined what activity occurs in parks and open spaces. To what extent do parks play a role in reducing sedentary behavior, and what characteristics of parks are most important for physical activity? Approximately 30 years ago, the National Parks and Recreation Association (NPRA) established a standard of 10 acres per 1000 people to be devoted to parks and recreational spaces. 18 However, many localities could not achieve this standard, given the cost and limited availability of land. In 1996, the NPRA backed away from this size recommendation, saying “in deference to . . . differing geographical, cultural, social, economic, and environmental characteristics, each community must select a level of service guideline which they can live with in terms of their community setting.” 18 (p48) Features other than size may influence park use, including accessibility, availability, and quality of amenities. Use is also likely a reflection of individual preferences, as well as age, exercise habits, and race/ethnicity. 12 , 13 Other important characteristics include surrounding land use and availability of organized events that draw people to the park. 19 In a review article, Godbey et al. 10 emphasized the need to include objective measures of physical activity when studying parks. In this study, we used several methods, including direct observation, to examine how 8 parks in minority communities in the City of Los Angeles were used, and how much physical activity occurs in them. We also explored how services might be changed to better serve residents.
