What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews
Abstract Background Parks provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction and are critical for enhancing public health. It is therefore important to better understand the needs and preferences of park features among adults to help park designers to create parks that optimise use....
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2022-04-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13064-5 |
| _version_ | 1817990716106735616 |
|---|---|
| author | Jenny Veitch Nicole Biggs Benedicte Deforche Anna Timperio |
| author_facet | Jenny Veitch Nicole Biggs Benedicte Deforche Anna Timperio |
| author_sort | Jenny Veitch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Parks provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction and are critical for enhancing public health. It is therefore important to better understand the needs and preferences of park features among adults to help park designers to create parks that optimise use. This qualitative study provided an in-depth examination of factors and characteristics that influence visitation, park-based physical activity, and social interaction among adults (19–64 years). We also explored perceptions of parks and park use and impacts of COVID on park usage and needs. Methods Participants (n = 27, 40.4 years [+ 11.9], 70% female) were interviewed from 2017 to 2020 while walking through one of eight diverse parks located in varying socioeconomic areas of metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Participants were prompted to discuss their experiences, opinions and preferences regarding park features. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo 12 software. Results Park features and characteristics highly valued for visitation related to aesthetics and atmosphere, including trees, gardens, spaciousness, and water features. Features most valued for physical activity included walking and bike tracks, basketball rings, nice aesthetics, and sports walls. Features most valued for social interaction included seating and tables, and picnic/barbecue areas. Conclusions This study highlights features and characteristics that may be important to prioritise, to encourage active and social park visits among adults. This evidence will help policy and decision makers, urban planners, landscape architects, and local, state, and national government organisations to create parks that support adults to lead healthy and active lives. Future research should examine the relative importance of the features identified in this study to inform future park design/redesign. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:03:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cb14157de41747f696f594b72dc45aba |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:03:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-cb14157de41747f696f594b72dc45aba2022-12-22T02:21:20ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-04-0122111110.1186/s12889-022-13064-5What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviewsJenny Veitch0Nicole Biggs1Benedicte Deforche2Anna Timperio3School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN)School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN)Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent UniversitySchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN)Abstract Background Parks provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction and are critical for enhancing public health. It is therefore important to better understand the needs and preferences of park features among adults to help park designers to create parks that optimise use. This qualitative study provided an in-depth examination of factors and characteristics that influence visitation, park-based physical activity, and social interaction among adults (19–64 years). We also explored perceptions of parks and park use and impacts of COVID on park usage and needs. Methods Participants (n = 27, 40.4 years [+ 11.9], 70% female) were interviewed from 2017 to 2020 while walking through one of eight diverse parks located in varying socioeconomic areas of metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Participants were prompted to discuss their experiences, opinions and preferences regarding park features. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo 12 software. Results Park features and characteristics highly valued for visitation related to aesthetics and atmosphere, including trees, gardens, spaciousness, and water features. Features most valued for physical activity included walking and bike tracks, basketball rings, nice aesthetics, and sports walls. Features most valued for social interaction included seating and tables, and picnic/barbecue areas. Conclusions This study highlights features and characteristics that may be important to prioritise, to encourage active and social park visits among adults. This evidence will help policy and decision makers, urban planners, landscape architects, and local, state, and national government organisations to create parks that support adults to lead healthy and active lives. Future research should examine the relative importance of the features identified in this study to inform future park design/redesign.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13064-5DesignAdultsPark featuresPhysical activitySocial interaction |
| spellingShingle | Jenny Veitch Nicole Biggs Benedicte Deforche Anna Timperio What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews BMC Public Health Design Adults Park features Physical activity Social interaction |
| title | What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews |
| title_full | What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews |
| title_fullStr | What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews |
| title_full_unstemmed | What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews |
| title_short | What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews |
| title_sort | what do adults want in parks a qualitative study using walk along interviews |
| topic | Design Adults Park features Physical activity Social interaction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13064-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jennyveitch whatdoadultswantinparksaqualitativestudyusingwalkalonginterviews AT nicolebiggs whatdoadultswantinparksaqualitativestudyusingwalkalonginterviews AT benedictedeforche whatdoadultswantinparksaqualitativestudyusingwalkalonginterviews AT annatimperio whatdoadultswantinparksaqualitativestudyusingwalkalonginterviews |