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The Effects of Play Streets on Social and Community Connectedness in Rural Communities

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  • M. Renée Umstattd Meyer

    (Department of Public Health, Baylor University Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Waco, TX 78628, USA)

  • Tyler Prochnow

    (Department of Public Health, Baylor University Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Waco, TX 78628, USA
    Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Andrew C. Pickett

    (Division of Kinesiology & Sport Management, School of Education Research Center, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA)

  • Cynthia K. Perry

    (School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA)

  • Christina N. Bridges Hamilton

    (Department of Public Health, Baylor University Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Waco, TX 78628, USA
    Department of Public Health & Health Education, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420, USA)

  • Christiaan G. Abildso

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV 25606, USA)

  • Keshia M. Pollack Porter

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Promoting physical activity (PA) is a long-standing public health initiative to improve overall health and wellbeing. Innovative strategies such as Play Streets, temporary activation of public spaces to provide safe places for active play, are being adopted in urban and rural communities to increase PA among children. As part of these strategies, aspects of social and community connectedness may be strengthened. This study analyzes focus groups and interviews from rural Play Street implementation team members ( n = 14) as well as adults ( n = 7) and children ( n = 25) who attended Play Streets hosted in rural North Carolina, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Texas to better understand the added benefits of Play Streets in community connectedness. Overall, elements of social support and social cohesion are mentioned most frequently with instrumental and conditional support; however, concepts of social capital, collective-efficacy, and social identification are also presented. Participants expressed that Play Streets provided more than just PA; they provided opportunities to access and share resources, build perceptions of safety and trust in the community, and develop relationships with others. Fostering community connection through Play Streets may reduce health inequities in rural communities by building community resilience. Community-based PA programming that enhance and capitalize on community connectedness could be effective ways to improving the overall health and wellbeing of residents.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Tyler Prochnow & Andrew C. Pickett & Cynthia K. Perry & Christina N. Bridges Hamilton & Christiaan G. Abildso & Keshia M. Pollack Porter, 2021. "The Effects of Play Streets on Social and Community Connectedness in Rural Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:9976-:d:640874
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Josephine Y. Chau & Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani & Helen Little, 2023. "Navigating Neighbourhood Opposition and Climate Change: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Play Street Pilot in Sydney, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.

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