Chicago Plays! Initiative: Evaluation of a Natural Experiment to Increase Park Use

In a sample of racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods, using a quasi-experimental prospective longitudinal study design, we examined whether involvement of community groups influences park-based utilization and physical activity (PA) post-playground renovations (N=78 matched parks, 39 intervention and 39control). Parks were matched on size, proximity, neighborhood SES and race/ethnicity. We hypothesize that compared to playground renovation alone, sites with playground renovation plus community engagement will have increased park-based utilization and PA through positive effects on park programming, ongoing maintenance, and safety. In summer/fall 2013 and 2014 baseline and 12 month follow up data were collected on park-based utilization and PA, presence and condition of existing playground equipment, presence of physical disorder, park programming, and park and neighborhood-based crime data. Analyses of the number of  people: 1) visiting parks and 2) engaged in PA as determined by direct observations was conducted using a poisson mixed-effects regression model accounting for matched parks. Additional analyses will be conducted examining differences across park programming, ongoing maintenance, and safety. Preliminary results showed a total of 14,586 people were observed across the 78 parks (5,612 at baseline, 8,974 at 12-month follow up). We found significant increases in park utilization and the number of people engaged in vigorous PA, and decreases in the number of people engaged in sedentary behavior. No significant changes were observed for moderate PA. Results of this study can provide communities with evidence to inform future policy decisions on how to increase park utilization in diverse neighborhoods.