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[Preprint]. 2023 Mar 21:rs.3.rs-2697497.
doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2697497/v1.

Playgrounds Location and Patterns of Use

Deborah Young  1 , Thomas L McKenzie  2 , Sarah Eng  3 , Meghan Talarowski  4 , Bing Han  3 , Stephanie Williamson  5 , Emily Galfond  4 , Deborah A Cohen  3
Affiliations

Playgrounds Location and Patterns of Use

Deborah Young et al. Res Sq. .

Update in

  • Playground Location and Patterns of Use.
    Young DR, McKenzie TL, Eng S, Talarowski M, Han B, Williamson S, Galfond E, Cohen DA. Young DR, et al. J Urban Health. 2023 Jun;100(3):504-512. doi: 10.1007/s11524-023-00729-8. Epub 2023 May 8. J Urban Health. 2023. PMID: 37155140 Free PMC article.

Abstract

Playgrounds have features that benefit visitors, including opportunities to engage in outdoor physical activity. We surveyed 1350 adults visiting 60 playgrounds across the U.S. in Summer 2021 to determine if distance to the playground from their residence was associated with weekly visit frequency, length of stay, and transportation mode to the site. About 2/3 of respondents living within ½ mile from the playground reported visiting it at least once per week compared with 14.1% of respondents living more than a mile away. Of respondents living within ¼ mile of playgrounds, 75.6% reported walking or biking there. After controlling for socio-demographics, respondents living within ½ mile of the playground had 5.1 times the odds (95% CI: 3.68, 7.04) of visiting the playground at least once per week compared with those living further away. Respondents walking or biking to the playground had 6.1 times the odds (95% CI: 4.23, 8.82) of visiting the playground at least once per week compared with respondents arriving via motorized transport. For public health purposes, city planners and designers should consider locating playgrounds ½ mile from all residences. Distance is likely the most important factor associated with playground use.

Keywords: Public health; neighborhoods; non-motorized travel; playgrounds; residential location; survey.

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References

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