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Research has shown that in lower-income and diverse neighborhoods, parks play a vital role in children’s active lives.
Parents’ and caregivers’ preferences for parks significantly influence children’s activity levels, and understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing health disparities, particularly in African American and Latino youth, as well as those from low-income families.
In this brief, we highlight key findings from two studies, stressing the need for effective programs, environments, and policies to promote active lifestyles. This includes utilizing parks and playgrounds as free resources for play and physical activity.
This brief is relevant for playground, city, and park planners, as well as researchers and professionals engaged in the planning and design of public open spaces.
Looking at the two studies, the authors found that parental preferences, areas of activity, and differences by race and ethnicity can influence children’s physical activity in parks.
Ogletree and colleagues (2020) found the highest preferences for:
African American children were less likely to visit parks immediately after school hours (3-5:30 pm) in spring
Latino children showed the highest likelihood of being in parks during weekend days
Areas with formal organized activities tended to attract Asian American and Latino children more frequently
The majority of children, particularly Latino and Asian American children, were observed using swing sets and playgrounds
African American children were most commonly found on basketball courts.
In the 79 site visits in New York City parks, Marquet and colleagues (2019) identified areas with the most activity.
Overall, they observed park use was lower in the early afternoon hours, and highest in the early evening (6-7 pm) and weekends. Children were less active in the shade or when the weather was warmer.
Among the 16,500 observed kids, one-third were Asian-American, 40% Latino, and almost 20% African American. Here, Marquet et al. (2019) observed that there were differences by race and ethnicity when it came to park use.
The findings emphasize the need to enhance parks to meet the needs and desires of all families, boosting usage by both children and adults.
Key concerns for parents include safety and park facilities.
In Raleigh, Durham, and New York City Latino neighborhoods, where safety concerns are prominent, it is necessary to enhance security. This could be ensuring:
New York City parks could engage with children aged 5 to 10 directly after school to increase park usage, particularly during underused hours like 3-5:30 pm.
Increasing organized sports and programming, especially in areas like handball courts and baseball fields, could enhance park activity.
Moreover, parks should prioritize creating spaces that facilitate active play, even in hot summer months. Providing shaded areas for children to cool down is important, especially during warmer days, while ensuring they engage in at least 60 minutes of play each day.
All our briefs are accessible through our website, www.playgroundresearch.org.
On the website, you’ll find a compilation of briefs that offer a clear comprehension of research findings and their implications for future research and practical application.
You can also download a printable PDF version of this brief to facilitate sharing.
