Park Environments to Promote Public Health
Conceptual Model
Park Assessments
Research on Park Environments to Promote Public Health
Publications

Physical inactivity causes numerous physical and mental health problems, is responsible for an estimated 200,000 deaths per year, and contributes to the obesity epidemic.¹ The design of our communities and the presence or absence of parks, trails, and other quality public recreational facilities affects people’s ability to reach the recommended 30 minutes each day of moderately intense physical activity.¹

“Activity-friendly” environments are places that make it easy to be physically active, through planned exercise or routine daily activity.² Parks are one potentially activity-friendly environment.  Our research focuses specifically on the relationship between parks and physical activity.

Parks are also a feature of the built environment that may promote social interaction, ultimately leading to the development of social capital and social support. Parks may also play a role in improving visitors' mental health.

This reasearch focuses on the contribution that parks can make to the public's health through the use of them as a setting for physical activity and social interaction, as well as through their contribution to individual mental health.

References:

1.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. A Report from the Surgeon General:  Physical Activity and Health. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office; 1996.

2.  McCann B. Designing for Active Recreation (Research Summary Fact Sheet). San Diego: Active Living Research; 2005.

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