What brings children to the park? Analysis and measurement of the variables affecting children's use of parks

Authors: Loukaitou-Siders A, Siders A
Journal: Journal of the American Planning Association, 76: 89-107, 2010

This study surveyed children and their parents in 12 middle schools, and observed children at 50 inner-city and 50 suburban parks. The study confirmed that many middle-school children make little use of parks. Active recreation facilities and organized sport programs, natural features, and good levels of maintenance and cleanliness are the most significant factors attracting middle-school children to parks. The survey results indicated significant gender, racial, and ethnic differences in preferences for park equipment, perceptions of park safety, and park visitation patterns. Additionally, inner-city and suburban children were attracted to parks of different sizes and containing different facilities, and the association between park safety and park use was also different in these two settings.

Keywords: Cross-Sectional Survey, Children (1 - 12 years), School, Community, General PA/Unspecified, Correlates: Policy/Environment

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