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. 2016 Nov 14;16(1):1160.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3822-2.

The Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study: Protocol of a natural experiment to investigate the impact of citywide park redesign and renovation

Terry T K Huang  1   2 , Katarzyna E Wyka  3 , Emily B Ferris  3 , Jennifer Gardner  4 , Kelly R Evenson  5 , Devanshi Tripathi  3 , Gabriel Martinez Soto  3 , Matthew S Cato  3 , Jon Moon  6 , Julia Wagner  4 , Joan M Dorn  7 , Diane J Catellier  8 , Lorna E Thorpe  3   9
Affiliations

The Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study: Protocol of a natural experiment to investigate the impact of citywide park redesign and renovation

Terry T K Huang et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The built environment plays a critical role in promoting physical activity and health. The association between parks, as a key attribute of the built environment, and physical activity, however, remains inconclusive. This project leverages a natural experiment opportunity to assess the impact of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), a citywide park redesign and renovation effort in New York City, on physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing.

Methods: The project will use a longitudinal design with matched controls. Thirty intervention park neighborhoods are socio-demographically matched to 20 control park neighborhoods. The study will investigate whether improvements in physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing are observed from baseline to 3 years post-renovation among residents in intervention vs. control neighborhoods.

Discussion: This study represents a rare opportunity to provide robust evidence to further our understanding of the complex relationship between parks and health. Findings will inform future investments in health-oriented urban design policies and offer evidence for addressing health disparities through built environment strategies.

Keywords: Built environment; Mental health; Natural experiment; Parks; Physical activity; Planning; Recreation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study theoretical framework
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Map of study neighborhood sites
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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