Associations of park features with park use and park-based physical activity in an urban environment in Asia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Park use is associated with health, yet our understanding of park features related to their use is limited. Singapore's parks were audited for 30 micro-features, then geospatial analysis characterized micro-features scores for parks nearest to participants' homes. Adults (3,435) reported their park use and park-based physical activity. Using linear regression models, we found living near a park with higher micro-features scores was associated with more time in parks and park-based physical activity. Specific micro-features were associated with more park time (wildlife areas, water features, forested areas, unpaved trails (2-2.6 h/month, p < 0.05)) and with physical activity in parks (water features, forested areas, large playground, open green spaces (1.8-2.2 h/month, p < 0.05)). These findings could inform parks planning to support population-health.

Keywords: Adults; Asia; Built environment; Environmental assessment of public recreation spaces observational measure (EAPRS); Green spaces; Nature; Recreation; Urban parks.