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Examining health-related effects of refurbishment to parks in a lower socioeconomic area: the shadeplus natural experiment
journal contribution
posted on 2020-01-01, 00:00 authored by S J Dobbinson, J Simmons, J A Chamberlain, R J Macinnis, Jo SalmonJo Salmon, Petra StaigerPetra Staiger, M Wakefield, Jenny VeitchJenny VeitchDegraded parks in disadvantaged areas are underutilized for recreation, which may impact long-term health. Using a natural experiment, we examined the effects of local government refurbishments to parks (n = 3 intervention; n = 3 comparison) in low socioeconomic areas (LSEA) of Melbourne on park use, health behavior, social engagement and psychological well-being. Amenities promoting physical activity and sun protection included walking paths, playground equipment and built shade. Outcomes were measured via systematic observations, and self-report surveys of park visitors over three years. The refurbishments significantly increased park use, while shade use increased only in parks with shade sails. A trend for increased social engagement was also detected. Findings infer improvement of quality, number and type of amenities in degraded parks can substantially increase park use in LSEA. Findings support provision of shade over well-designed playgrounds in future park refurbishments to enhance engagement and sun protection behavior. Further research should identify park amenities to increase physical activity
History
Journal
International journal of environmental research and public healthVolume
17Issue
17Article number
6102Pagination
1 - 21Publisher
MDPILocation
Basel, SwitzerlandPublisher DOI
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ISSN
1661-7827eISSN
1660-4601Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineEnvironmental SciencesPublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthEnvironmental Sciences & Ecologypublic healthinterventionparkstrailsneighborhoodcommunitybehavior changeactive livinglow incomePHYSICAL-ACTIVITYGREEN SPACEURBAN PARKSENVIRONMENTIMPACTINTERVENTIONSEXPOSUREBURDENneighborhood\/communityparks\/trails
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