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Updated: Jun 27, 2025
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Exploring the association between park size and crime
Lewis H Lee1, Gibran Mancus2, Akhlaque Haque3
1School of Social Work, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
Summary
Larger parks are linked to lower crime rates, according to a study of Alabama parks. This research on park size and crime risk offers insights for urban planning and public safety strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Criminology
- Urban Planning
- Public Health
Background:
- Crime rates are a significant concern in urban areas.
- The role of urban green spaces, such as parks, in influencing crime is an area of ongoing research.
- Understanding factors associated with crime risk is crucial for effective policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the size of public parks and crime risk in Alabama.
- To identify key demographic and socioeconomic factors that may mediate this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 564 parks across 73 cities in Alabama with populations over 10,000.
- Park dimensions measured using Google Earth Pro.
- Crime data (violent and property crimes) obtained from Applied Geographic Solutions.
- Multiple regression analysis incorporating data on population density, mental health, social vulnerability, and alcohol expenditure.
Main Results:
- A significant negative association was found between park size and crime risk, indicating larger parks correlate with lower crime rates.
- Mental health prevalence, social vulnerability, and alcohol spending were also significantly related to crime rates.
- These covariates play a role in understanding the park size-crime relationship.
Conclusions:
- Park size is a significant factor in crime risk assessment.
- Urban planning and public health initiatives should consider the impact of green space dimensions on community safety.
- Findings provide evidence-based recommendations for local governments and community organizations to reduce crime.
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