Citation

Cohen DA, Han B, Park S, Williamson S, Derose KP. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2019; 27(3): 334-342.

Affiliation

1 Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/japa.2018-0032

PMID

30160585

Abstract

Routine physical activity is important for everyone and most urban areas have an infrastructure of neighborhood parks that are intended to serve as a setting for recreation and leisure. However, parks are not used proportionally by all age groups, genders and socio-economic groups. This paper explores factors associated with park use by different age and gender groups in low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA. We found that women's visits to parks generally centered around children, while men's visits were more likely to be associated with their own physical activity. Barriers for seniors are associated with limited facilities and programming that meet their needs. Park managers should consider park renovations that include social meeting places, comfortable sitting areas and walking paths to better serve women and seniors.

Language: en

Keywords

Aging; disparities; gender; parks; physical activity