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What brings children to the park? Analysis and measurement of the variables affecting children's use of parks

Different factors attract different groups of children to parks

Parks may play an important role in supporting children’s physical activity, however, little is known about specific park characteristics that facilitate children’s park use. The purpose of this study by Loukaitou-Sideris and Sideris was to investigate the relationship between specific park characteristics and children’s park use, as well as how park use differs between boys and girls, children of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and between inner-city and suburban children.

To conduct this study, researchers surveyed hundreds of middle-school children and parents in the suburban San Fernando valley region of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles inner city. In addition, researchers visited 100 parks and their surrounding neighborhoods (50 in the inner city and 50 in the suburban valley region), documenting park use on weekdays and weekends, as well as park attributes.

In analyzing the data, Loukaitou-Sideris and Sideris found many interesting results, including the following:
Parks are underutilized. Nearly half of all children reported going to a park twice per week or more, however, 20% of children said that they did not use parks at all. Boys visited parks more than girls, and Hispanic children visited parks more often than other children.  Parks are important places for physical activity. Children reported that parks were the second most important location (the first being schools) for physical activity.  Many children are driven to parks: just 33% of inner-city children and 23.5% of suburban children reported walking to the park.  The most important characteristics that attracted children to parks were: the existence of active recreation facilities and organized sport programs, natural features, larger park size, and good maintenance and safety.  There are significant gender, racial, and ethic differences, as well as differences between inner-city and suburban children, in terms of park use patterns, preferences, and perceptions. For example, children used inner-city parks more than suburban parks and boys used parks more than girls. In addition, park size was more important to inner-city children, while active recreation facilities were more important to suburban children.

This study’s multi-method approach and inclusion of a large number of parks advances our understanding on this important topic. In concluding their article, researchers provide a series of recommendations for planners and park and recreation departments to increase children’s park use.

Citation

Loukaitou-Sideris, A., Sideris, A., (2010). What brings children to the park? Analysis and measurement of the variables affecting children's use of parks. Journal of the American Planning Association, 76(1), 89-107.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01944360903418338

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