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This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2005.072447v1 97/3/509    most recent Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (26) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cohen, D. A. Articles by Lurie, N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cohen, D. A. Articles by Lurie, N. Related Collections Exercise/Physical Activity Health Promotion Other Race/Ethnicity Other Environment

Deborah A. Cohen, MD, MPH, Thomas L. McKenzie, PhD, Amber Sehgal, MS, Stephanie Williamson, BA, Daniela Golinelli, PhD and Nicole Lurie, MD

Deborah Cohen, Amber Sehgal, Stephanie Williamson, Daniela Golinelli, and Nicole Lurie are with the RAND Corporation. Thomas L. McKenzie is with the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr Deborah Cohen, RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90407 (e-mail: dcohen{at}rand.org).

Objectives. Parks provide places for people to experience nature, engage in physical activity, and relax. We studied how residents in low-income, minority communities use public, urban neighborhood parks and how parks contribute to physical activity.

Methods. In 8 public parks, we used direct observation to document the number, gender, race/ethnicity, age group, and activity level of park users 4 times per day, 7 days per week. We also interviewed 713 park users and 605 area residents living within 2 miles of each park.

Results. On average, over 2000 individuals were counted in each park, and about two thirds were sedentary when observed. More males than females used the parks, and males were twice as likely to be vigorously active. Interviewees identified the park as the most common place they exercised. Both park use and exercise levels of individuals were predicted by proximity of their residence to the park.

Conclusions. Public parks are critical resources for physical activity in minority communities. Because residential proximity is strongly associated with physical activity and park use, the number and location of parks are currently insufficient to serve local populations well.

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