ArticleBMC public health2014
Physical activity patterns in urban neighbourhood parks: insights from a multiple case study.
Article in BMC public health, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed.
- Long-term impacts of co-designed sustainable park improvements on physical activity and other wellbeing behaviours: a 7-year natural experimental study in a deprived urban area.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2026Article
- Mapping the Process of Engagement With Digital Health Interventions: A Cross-Case Synthesis.Mayo Clinic proceedings. Innovations, quality & outcomes · 2025Article
- Unearthing Inequities in the Relationship between Multiple Sociodemographic Factors and Diverse Elements of Park Availability and Quality in a Major Southern Metropolitan Region.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024Article
- Observation-based data-gathering method to support the assessment of the use of cultural ecosystem services in urban green spaces.MethodsX · 2023Article
- How Much Did Urban Park Use Change under the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Comparative Study of Summertime Park Use in 2019 and 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Fecal contamination of urban parks by domestic dogs and tragedy of the commons.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- If You Build It Will They Come? Park Upgrades, Park Use and Park-Based Physical Activity in Urban Cape Town, South Africa-The SUN Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Evaluation of the Equity of Urban Park Green Space Based on Population Data Spatialization: A Case Study of a Central Area of Wuhan, China.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2019Article
- Building-Based Analysis of the Spatial Provision of Urban Parks in Shenzhen, China.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2017Article
- Neighbourhood built environment characteristics associated with different types of physical activity in Canadian adults.Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice · 2017Article
- Changes in visitor profiles and activity patterns following dog supportive modifications to parks: A natural experiment on the health impact of an urban policy.SSM - population health · 2016Article
- Adolescents' ratings of features of parks that encourage park visitation and physical activity.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2016Article
- Park characteristics, use, and physical activity: A review of studies using SOPARC (System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities).Preventive medicine · 2016Review
- Just What the Doctor Ordered: Using Parks to Improve Children's Health.Environmental health perspectives · 2015Article
- Encouraging Dog Walking for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.American journal of lifestyle medicineReview
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMany characteristics of urban parks and neighbourhoods have been linked to patterns of physical activity, yet untangling these relationships to promote increased levels of physical activity presents methodological challenges. Based on qualitative and quantitative data, this article describes patterns of activity within urban parks and the socio-demographic characteristics of park visitors. It also accounts for these patterns in relation to the attributes of parks and their surrounding neighbourhoods.
methodsA multiple case study was undertaken that incorporated quantitative and qualitative data derived from first-hand observation in a purposive sample of four urban parks. Quantitative data, based on direct observation of visitors' patterns of use and socio-demographic characteristics, were collected using a structured instrument. Differences in frequencies of observed activities and socio-demographic characteristics of visitors were compared between the four parks. Qualitative data, based on direct observation of park characteristics and patterns of use, were generated through digital photography and analyzed through captioning. Quantitative data on patterns in activity and socio-demographic characteristics were synthesized with the qualitative data on park and usage characteristics.
resultsA comprehensive portrait of each park in the study was generated. Activity types (sedentary, walking, dog-related, cycling, and play), patterns of park use (time of day, day of week), and socio-demographic characteristics (age group, social group) differed between the four parks. Patterns in park use and activity appeared to be associated with socio-demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighbourhoods as well as the physical and social environmental characteristics specific to each park.
conclusionsBoth park and neighbourhood characteristics influence patterns of use and physical activity within parks. The study findings suggest that socio-demographic characteristics of neighbourhoods surrounding parks need be considered in planning, development and management. Engaging local communities could help planners to develop and update urban parks in ways that reflect the needs and characteristics of community residents and, in turn, encourage visits and more physical activity amongst visitors.
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