全球智库信息集成服务系统

Although parks play an important role in providing venues for physical activity in urban areas, they tend to be underutilized, especially for moderate to vigorous physical activity.

• Research underscores the need to target efforts to increase park-based physical activity to specific populations.
• There are numerous differences in how parks are used among different racial and ethnic groups, different genders, and different age groups.
• Park facilities by themselves are not sufficient to attract users; many sit unused or underused, even after recent renovations. On-site marketing and supervised activities are the top two park features that encourage greater use of parks for physical activity. Marketing efforts are likely to be especially important in low-income neighborhoods.
• The majority of park facilities are geared toward youths, while fewer facilities tend to target groups who are underrepresented among those using parks for moderate to vigorous physical activity — adults and especially seniors.
• Investments to encourage physical activity will not be made without the support of local park managers. Neighborhood parks are financed on the local level, and local park managers are best positioned to understand the needs of their local populations.