Evaluating Park Use and Satisfaction: The Case of Trojan Park in St. Louis Missouri

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2019-08, Vol.16 (15), p.2798
• Main Authors: Parra, Diana C, Van Zandt, Alexandria, Wang, Peter, Goodman, Micah, Abhishek, Janardan, Haire-Joshu, Debra, Brownson, Ross C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Age; Blood pressure; Breast cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Colon; Colon cancer; Community; Diabetes; Exercise; Exercise - psychology; Female; Fitness equipment; Guidelines; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Metabolic disorders; Metabolic syndrome; Missouri; Obesity; Older people; Parks & recreation areas; Parks, Recreational; Personal Satisfaction; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Population; Public health; Recreation - psychology; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomics; Surveillance; Teenagers; Travel; Walking; Walking - psychology
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152798

: Providing public access to exercise and play is vital for health promotion across populations. We evaluated the use of and satisfaction at Trojan Park, a multigenerational playground with multiple activity areas and fitness zones in the city of Wellston in St. Louis County, MO. : We used video footage and the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC), which is a valid and reliable system for collecting data on physical activity in parks. We then performed intercept interviews to gather user information and measure overall satisfaction with the park. : The park received a variety of attendees across age groups, with children and middle-aged adults representing 41.1% and 50.3% of total park users, respectively. During the time observed, 47% of attendees were engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 22% were engaged in light physical activity (walking), and 30% were sedentary. We also observed participants spending the most time on the basketball court (38%), playground (28%), and picnic (17%) areas. Park users traveled a wide range of distances to access the park and the overwhelming majority reported a high level of satisfaction. : Our findings demonstrate that multigenerational playgrounds with access to various activities and fitness zones may provide social and physical health benefits.