Contributions of park-based activities to overall physical activity among adults living near recently renovated parks in low-income New York City neighborhoods: variations by race/ethnicity and sex.

backgroundUrban parks may promote physical activity (PA); however, little is known about whether renovated urban parks contribute to overall PA similarly across diverse sociodemographic groups. In this cross-sectional study, we examined associations between park-based activities and overall PA among adults living near recently renovated parks in low-income New York City (NYC) neighborhoods, with particular attention to differences by race/ethnicity and sex.

methodsA total of 1336 adult survey respondents who reported past-month use of a renovated park within 0.5 miles of their residence were included. Surveys captured past-month participation in activities at the renovated park (walking, exercising, taking children to the playground/park, relaxing, socializing, volunteering) and self-reported PA level during visits (sitting, light, moderate-to-vigorous). The outcome, overall past-week PA, was measured in metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-minutes using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and log-transformed prior to analysis. Linear regression models estimated associations of park-based activities and park-based PA levels with log(MET-minutes) of overall PA in the full sample and stratified by race/ethnicity and sex.

resultsIn the full sample, park-based activities explained 5.4% of the variability in overall PA of past-month renovated park users; self-reported park-based PA level explained 5.2% of the variability. Compared to past-month park users who did not engage in these activities, those who reported exercising at the study park had 47% higher overall PA and those who reported walking had 33% higher overall PA, while those who reported volunteering had 26% lower overall PA, after confounder adjustment. Activities at renovated parks explained more variability in overall PA among males (6.3%) compared with females (5.1%), and among minority groups (Latino/as = 6.5%, Blacks = 6.8%, other race/ethnicity = 11.2%) compared with Whites (4.3%).

conclusionsAmong adults with past-month renovated park use in low-income NYC neighborhoods, park-based activities explained a significant proportion of the variability in overall PA, with stronger contributions among minorities and males. These findings highlight the importance of considering sociodemographic differences when assessing the role of renovated urban parks in promoting PA and suggest that investments in high-quality green spaces may be particularly impactful for minority groups facing disproportionate barriers to PA.