Work

Park Marketing Strategies, Park Conditions, and Park Use: A Longitudinal National Study of Parks

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Parks present opportunities for recreational physical activity and mental relaxation; however, they are underutilized. METHODS: The authors examined how changes in management directly and indirectly impacted park use. Using a national sample of 169 parks sampled from 25 cities, the authors linked park management reported via surveys with systematic direct observation of park use, park-based physical activity, and park conditions observed during the spring/summers of 2014 and 2016. The authors used structural equation modeling to estimate longitudinal pathways from changes in park management and conditions to changes in park use. RESULTS: Increases in subsidized meal offerings and greater use of marketing to promote park events predicted increased person-hours of total weekly park use. Pathways predicting park use varied across user and activity type. CONCLUSION: The authors' findings suggest that changing park management practices combined with park conditions may promote park use.

Source: Journal of Physical Activity and Health

DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0426

Authors: Andrea Richardson, Bing Han, Stephanie Williamson, Deborah Cohen

Institution: RAND Corporation

Language: English

Topic: Urban Green Space and Health

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute