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Public Parks in Hong Kong: Characteristics of Physical Activity Areas and Their Users

Author

Listed:
  • Bik C. Chow

    (Department of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Thomas L. McKenzie

    (School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, 5127 Walsh Way, San Diego, CA 92115, USA)

  • Cindy H. P. Sit

    (Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Public parks, salient locations for engaging populations in health promoting physical activity, are especially important in high-density cities. We used the System for Observing Physical Activity in Communities (SOPARC) to conduct the first-ever surveillance study of nine public parks in Hong Kong (288 observation sessions during 36 weekdays and 36 weekend days) and observed 28,585 visitors in 262 diverse areas/facilities. Parks were widely used throughout the day on weekdays and weekend days and across summer and autumn; visitor rates were among the highest seen in 24 SOPARC studies. In contrast to other studies where teens and children dominated park use, most visitors (71%) were adults and seniors. More males (61%) than females used the parks, and they dominated areas designed for sports. Over 60% of visitors were observed engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, a rate higher than other SOPARC studies. Facilities with user fees were less accessible than non-fee areas, but they provided relatively more supervised and organized activities. Assessing parks by age, gender, and physical activity can provide useful information relative to population health. This study not only provides information useful to local administrators for planning and programming park facilities relative to physical activity, but it also provides a baseline for comparison by other high-density cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Bik C. Chow & Thomas L. McKenzie & Cindy H. P. Sit, 2016. "Public Parks in Hong Kong: Characteristics of Physical Activity Areas and Their Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:7:p:639-:d:72884
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Parra, D.C. & McKenzie, T.L. & Ribeiro, I.C. & Hino, A.A.F. & Dreisinger, M. & Coniglio, K. & Munk, M. & Brownson, R.C. & Pratt, M. & Hoehner, C.M. & Simoes, E.J., 2010. "Assessing physical activity in public parks in Brazil using systematic observation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(8), pages 1420-1426.
    2. Kaczynski, A.T. & Potwarka, L.R. & Saelens P, B.E., 2008. "Association of park size, distance, and features with physical activity in neighborhood parks," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(8), pages 1451-1456.
    3. Cohen, D.A. & McKenzie, T.L. & Sehgal, A. & Williamson, S. & Golinelli, D. & Lurie, N., 2007. "Contribution of public parks to physical activity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(3), pages 509-514.
    4. Eryn Pleson & Laura M. Nieuwendyk & Karen K. Lee & Anuradha Chaddah & Candace I. J. Nykiforuk & Donald Schopflocher, 2014. "Understanding Older Adults’ Usage of Community Green Spaces in Taipei, Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sigit D. Arifwidodo & Orana Chandrasiri & Niramon Rasri & Wipada Sirawarong & Panitat Rattanawichit & Natsiporn Sangyuan, 2022. "Association between Park Visitation and Physical Activity among Adults in Bangkok, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Yang Yang & Zhifang Wang & Guangsi Lin, 2021. "Performance Assessment Indicators for Comparing Recreational Services of Urban Parks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Kai Wang & Jianjun Liu, 2017. "The Spatiotemporal Trend of City Parks in Mainland China between 1981 and 2014: Implications for the Promotion of Leisure Time Physical Activity and Planning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Ying Xu & Sarah Ann Wheeler & Alec Zuo, 2022. "The Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Participation and Physical Activities in Parks: A Systematic Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, October.

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