Contributions of Non-Urban State Parks to Youth Physical Activity: A Case Study in Northern Georgia

A growing body of research has documented positive relationships among youth physical activity levels and park use. However, most investigations to date have focused on municipal parks, and relatively little is known about the physical activity levels of racially and ethnically diverse populations of youth using different types of parks in nonurban settings. This exploratory case study addressed these research gaps by examining the influence of non-urban state parks on the physical activity of  youth in northern Georgia, USA. Data were collected via intercept surveys of parents/guardians (who served as proxies and provided information about youth in their visitor group/family) visiting three state parks (n = 677, summer 2010) and nine park-proximate flea markets (n = 268, summer 2011). Flea markets were selected as a comparative study site to assess the relative contributions of state parks to youth physical activity because they provided unique access to large numbers of low-income, racial/ethnic minority children and adolescents from the general population who may or may not visit state parks. Intercept survey instruments assessed multiple variables including overall youth physical activity levels, park-based physical activity, activity correlates, and frequency of use for different physical activity locations (including state parks). Results showed that most youth (88%) participated in at least one hour of physical activity during state park visits. Participation rates for specific activities varied by demographic  group. Park-based physical activity correlates included race/ethnicity (with Latinos less active than other groups), parent perceptions of health-related benefits (positive relationship to physical activity), and youth participation in socially oriented activities (positive relationship to physical activity). Though youth were generally very active during state park visits, few youth (28%) visited the focal parks on a monthly or weekly basis, and even fewer in the flea market sample (22%) visited any Georgia state park often or very often. Local environments such as homes/backyards (used often or very often by 83% of youth) and neighborhood sidewalks and streets (58%) were more frequently used physical activity locations. Overall, this study revealed high levels of youth physical activity during visits to non-urban state parks. Park-based physical activity levels and activity preferences differed by demographic group. Results suggested that park-based physical activity among all groups of youth could be enhanced by management approaches that foster inter-generational interactions and create opportunities for active, adult-mediated, child-centered recreational pursuits. Findings also showed that state parks may be less important than other recreation destinations for promoting the physical activity of youth from non-urban settings. Efforts to encourage youth physical activity outside of urban areas should therefore emphasize a range of family-friendly recreation options and locations (including, but not limited to state parks) that account for the diverse recreation preferences of children and their parents. For park and recreation practitioners, ongoing efforts to monitor perceptions about parks and recreational services may provide insightful information about to whom to promote use of parks, trails, and other outdoor recreation areas. Examining differences within subgroups across time can help to identify potential priority populations to address in efforts to increase PA and encourage ORA use which in turn may address health disparities and improve public health.