Public Parks, Recreation Resources and Public Health: Short Term Battles and Long Term Consequences

Research has demonstrated the importance of parks and recreational facilities in stemming obesity rates and improving health outcomes through physical activity opportunities. Vulnerable communities are dependent on public resources; often the only venues providing accessible and affordable physical activity programming. This paper describes and evaluates a process of assessment to policy and programming influence through a community coalition in South Los Angeles, a heavily minority area experiencing the highest obesity rates in Los Angeles County. The first step moves from assessing public recreational facilities as merely “acres per 1,000 people” to an expanded definition of facility environments and programming. Then, using the results of that assessment to develop a community monitoring program built around “standards of quality” for public parks and facilities. Community Health Councils, Inc., through the REACH US project partnered with community organizations and university partners to conduct a physical activity facility survey. The survey revealed factors that contribute to accessibility including whether a facility is public or private-run, hours of operation, cleanliness, and variation in programming. A CHC moderated community coalition has worked to address the findings of the survey by developing a set of standards to monitor existing resources and serve as an organizing tool to expand resources. Confronted by budget cuts and a recessionary economy, public health and community coalitions need to create innovative approaches to sustaining and expanding recreational opportunities in vulnerable communities. These approaches should be community-based, focused on the gaps in recreational environments, and use data and policies to improve community resources.