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Utilization patterns and perceptions of playground users in New York City
Diana Silver1, Maggie Giorgio, Tod Mijanovich
1Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, 411 Lafayette, 5th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA, diana.silver@nyu.edu.
Journal of Community Health
|October 12, 2013
Summary
Playground use varies seasonally and by income. Neighborhood conditions, not race, influenced perceptions of safety and upkeep, with women reporting feeling less safe.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Urban Planning
- Environmental Psychology
Background:
- Playgrounds are vital for children's physical activity.
- Understanding playground utilization, user preferences, and safety perceptions is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Seasonal variations and socioeconomic factors can significantly impact playground use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seasonal utilization patterns of public playgrounds in New York City.
- To examine user preferences and perceptions of playground safety and upkeep across different demographics.
- To identify factors influencing playground as the primary outdoor play space for children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey of 1,396 adults accompanying children was conducted across 10 playgrounds in low/middle-income NYC neighborhoods.
- Data collection occurred from May 2010 to January 2011, covering four seasons.
- Multivariable logistic regression with playground and season fixed effects was employed to analyze utilization and perceptions.
Main Results:
- Playground utilization varied significantly across seasons.
- Black individuals were more likely to use playgrounds as their main outdoor play area compared to other racial groups.
- Higher income individuals reported lower odds of using playgrounds as their main outdoor play space.
- Perceptions of upkeep and safety were not significantly different across racial groups after accounting for neighborhood conditions.
- Women were more likely to report feeling unsafe in playgrounds.
Conclusions:
- Playground utilization is influenced by a combination of individual characteristics and perceptions of the public resource.
- Neighborhood conditions play a critical role in shaping perceptions of playground upkeep and safety, overriding racial differences.
- Enhancing children's physical activity requires strategies that consider the interplay between individual factors, neighborhood context, and the quality of public spaces.
- Improving access to physical activity opportunities necessitates a holistic approach beyond simple playground enhancements.
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