scholarly journals Walking in a winter wonderland? an assessment of winter maintenance and physical activity features in Smythe Park, Toronto

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Strong Influence ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Winter Maintenance ◽  
Park Use ◽  
Dog Walking ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Park Quality

Objective. To determine how the features, conditions, and maintenance of a low-income park affect the use of the park for physical activity during the winter months. Method. Direct observation of park use; assessment of park quality based on a developed assessment tool; and supplementary surveys with park users. Results. The park lacked winter park features (e.g. ice rink, tobogganing hill) and supporting amenities (e.g. washrooms, rental facilities). There was evidence of winter maintenance, however, it was inconsistent: most trails were cleared of snow on all visits, but large ice patches were present and had not been cleared. The park was used primarily for walking and dog walking, although respondents noted that the lack of maintenance in the park affected if they used it for physical activity. Conclusion. Winter maintenance of parks and the presence of winter features affect park use, with snow removal, ice removal, and the presence of bathrooms having a strong influence on physical activity levels in the winter months. Park planners should consider year-round maintenance and programming in order to promote engagement in physical activity during all seasons.

scholarly journals Walking in a winter wonderland? an assessment of winter maintenance and physical activity features in Smythe Park, Toronto

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Strong Influence ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Winter Maintenance ◽  
Park Use ◽  
Dog Walking ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Park Quality

Objective. To determine how the features, conditions, and maintenance of a low-income park affect the use of the park for physical activity during the winter months. Method. Direct observation of park use; assessment of park quality based on a developed assessment tool; and supplementary surveys with park users. Results. The park lacked winter park features (e.g. ice rink, tobogganing hill) and supporting amenities (e.g. washrooms, rental facilities). There was evidence of winter maintenance, however, it was inconsistent: most trails were cleared of snow on all visits, but large ice patches were present and had not been cleared. The park was used primarily for walking and dog walking, although respondents noted that the lack of maintenance in the park affected if they used it for physical activity. Conclusion. Winter maintenance of parks and the presence of winter features affect park use, with snow removal, ice removal, and the presence of bathrooms having a strong influence on physical activity levels in the winter months. Park planners should consider year-round maintenance and programming in order to promote engagement in physical activity during all seasons.

scholarly journals Impact of Park Renovations on Park Use and Park-Based Physical Activity

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Cohen ◽  
Bing Han ◽  
Jennifer Isacoff ◽  
Bianca Shulaker ◽  
Stephanie Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Park Use ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Local Residents

Background:Given the concerns about low rates of physical activity among low-income minority youth, many communitybased organizations are investing in the creation or renovation of public parks to encourage youth to become more physically active. To what degree park renovations accomplish this goal is not known.Methods:We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to measure park users and their physical activity levels before and after 2 parks were renovated. We compared findings with 4 parks: 2 that were unrenovated parks and 2 that were undergoing renovation. We also surveyed park users and local residents about their use of the parks.Results:Compared with parks that had not yet been renovated, the improved parks saw more than a doubling in the number of visitors and a substantial increase in energy expended in the parks. Increased park use was pronounced in adults and children, but was not seen in teens and seniors. Park renovations were associated with a significantly increased perception of park safety.Conclusions:Park improvements can have a significant impact on increasing park use and local physical activity.

An Environmental Intervention Aimed at Increasing Physical Activity Levels in Low-Income Women

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Speck ◽  
Vicki Hines-Martin ◽  
Barbara A. Stetson ◽  
Stephen W. Looney
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Environmental Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Low Income Women

scholarly journals Physical education in secondary schools located in low-income communities: Physical activity levels, lesson context and teacher interaction

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Sutherland ◽  
Elizabeth Campbell ◽  
David R. Lubans ◽  
Philip J. Morgan ◽  
Anthony D. Okely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Teacher Interaction ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Lesson Context

scholarly journals Financial Barriers and Pricing Strategies Related to Participation in Sports Activities: The Perceptions of People of Low Income

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 716-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid H.M. Steenhuis ◽  
Steffie B.C. Nooy ◽  
Machiel J.G. Moes ◽  
Albertine J. Schuit
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Pricing Strategies ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Free Trial ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Important Barrier ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Sports Activities

Background:Physical activity levels in most affluent countries are low and many people do not meet the current recommendations. Particularly for people with a low income, economic strategies seem promising to stimulate taking part in sports activities. This study investigated the importance of economic restraints for taking part in sports activities as well as perceptions of low-income people toward different pricing interventions.Methods:A qualitative study was conducted, using semistructured, individual interviews with 27 low-income men and women. The framework approach was used to analyze the transcripts of the interviews.Results:The respondents considered finances to be an important barrier for participating in sports activities, together with some individual barriers. Promising pricing strategies are a discount on the subscription to the fitness or sports club, a 1 month free trial, and free entrance to the swimming pool once a week.Conclusions:Pricing strategies may be a promising intervention to increase physical activity levels of low-income people. However, this study indicates that this should be coupled with an intervention directed at individual barriers. Some pricing strategies will be used and appreciated more by low-income people than other pricing strategies. In addition, pricing strategies should be tailored to individual needs and preferences.

scholarly journals The Relationships between Park Quality, Park Usage, and Levels of Physical Activity in Low-Income, African American Neighborhoods

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Knapp ◽  
Jeanette Gustat ◽  
Revonda Darensbourg ◽  
Leann Myers ◽  
Carolyn Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Settings ◽  
Park Use ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Park Quality

Parks can be an important, low-cost neighborhood resource to increase physical activity and reduce overweight and obesity. The quality of parks, however, may impact use. This study used observational data to examine the relationships between park quality, park usage and levels of physical activity among users in 31 parks within low-income, African American neighborhoods. Relationships between park use and park characteristics (signs of disorder, attractiveness, and number of activity settings) varied by gender and user activity level. No variables of interest were significant for overall number of male users; whereas, disorder and attractiveness were significant for overall number of female users. Parks with signs of disorder were associated with 49% fewer female users (IRR = 0.51, 95% CI = (0.34–0.77)) and attractive parks with 146% more female users (IRR = 2.46, 95% CI = (1.39–4.33)). Similar significant relationships were found among active but not sedentary female users. Communities may consider increasing park maintenance and addressing attractiveness in existing parks as a relatively low-cost environmental strategy to encourage park use, increase physical activity, and reduce the burden of obesity, especially among women in low-income, African-American communities.

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