Social Ecological Constraints to Park Use in Communities with Proximate Park Access

Authors

J. Aaron Hipp, Washington University in St. Louis, Brown SchoolFollow
Deepti Adlakha, Washington University in St. Louis, Brown SchoolFollow
Ravikumar Chockalingam, Washington University in St Louis, Prevention Research Center

Author's School

Brown School

Author's Department

Social Work

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

Fall 2013

Abstract

Evidence correlates physical activity, psychological restoration, and social health to proximity to parks and sites of recreation. The purpose of this study was to identify perceived constraints to park use in low-income communities facing significant health disparities, but with proximate access to underutilized parks. The authors used a series of focus groups with families, teens, and older adults in neighborhoods with similar demographic distribution and parks over 125 acres in size. Constraints to park use varied across age groups as well as across social ecological levels, with perceived constraints to individuals, user groups, communities, and society. Policies and interventions aimed at increasing park use must specifically address constraints across social ecological levels to be successful.

Comments

Author's version of LARNet: The Cyber Journal of Applied Leisure and Recreation Research http://larnet.org/2013-04.pdf © 2013 The Author

Recommended Citation

Hipp, J. Aaron; Adlakha, Deepti; and Chockalingam, Ravikumar, "Social Ecological Constraints to Park Use in Communities with Proximate Park Access" (2013). Brown School Faculty Publications. 13.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/brown_facpubs/13

Embargo Period

1-22-2014