Kansas City Neighborhood and Park Study
This page primarily describes the project component entitled "Kansas City Neighborhood and Park Study", the primary purpose of which was to examine how neighborhood and park environments influence the physical activity behaviors of nearby children and adults. Please read on to learn more about the project!
Project Team
Dr. Sonja Wilhelm Stanis, University of Missouri, Co-PI
Dr. Andrew Kaczynski, University of South Carolina, Co-PI
Hua Bai, University of Missouri, Research Assistant
Gina Besenyi, University of South Carolina, Research Assistant
Katy Vaughan, Kansas State University, Research Assistant
Study Background and Objectives
Park environments provide a wealth of opportunities for facilitating neighborhood and park-based physical activity. However, not all parks are created equal and they can vary widely with respect to proximity, size, features, and condition. Few studies have provided an in-depth examination of how the characteristics of parks and the neighborhoods around them help to shape the health and health behaviors of residents of all ages. Therefore, the purpose of the Kansas City Neighborhood and Park Study (KCNPS) was to examine how the proximity, features, quality, and neighborhood environments around parks influence physical activity and park use among children and adults. More specifically, some of the key research questions explored include:
Study Methods
This community-based, cross-sectional study occurred concurrently with the previous phase of the Kansas City Park and Physical Activity Project (development of a community stakeholder park audit tool) and involved three integrated components. First, a mail survey completed by 893 randomly-selected households in the study neighborhoods collected information about perceptions of the neighborhood and nearby parks, physical activity behavior of children and adults in the home, and park use and park-based physical activity. The second component utilized geographic information systems (GIS) technology to gather exposure data regarding the availability and size of parks in respondents’ neighborhoods. Finally, the third component included observational audits of KCMO parks within the respondents’ neighborhoods to assess park attributes such as features, amenities, access, quality, safety, and neighborhood context.
Articles/Reports
Project Summary Report
Kansas City, Missouri: Parks and physical activity project
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity article
Are park proximity and park features related to park use and physical activity among adults? Variations by multiple socio-demographic characteristics
Health and Place article
Planning for health: A community-based spatial analysis of park availability and chronic disease across the lifespan
American Journal of Health Promotion article
Association of street connectivity and road traffic speed with park usage and park-based physical activity
Children, Youth and Environments journal article
Parental neighborhood safety perceptions and their children’s health behaviors: Associations by child age, gender, and household income
Annals of Behavioral Medicine journal article
Perceptions of neighborhood park quality: Associations with physical activity and BMI
Project Team
Dr. Sonja Wilhelm Stanis, University of Missouri, Co-PI
Dr. Andrew Kaczynski, University of South Carolina, Co-PI
Hua Bai, University of Missouri, Research Assistant
Gina Besenyi, University of South Carolina, Research Assistant
Katy Vaughan, Kansas State University, Research Assistant
Study Background and Objectives
Park environments provide a wealth of opportunities for facilitating neighborhood and park-based physical activity. However, not all parks are created equal and they can vary widely with respect to proximity, size, features, and condition. Few studies have provided an in-depth examination of how the characteristics of parks and the neighborhoods around them help to shape the health and health behaviors of residents of all ages. Therefore, the purpose of the Kansas City Neighborhood and Park Study (KCNPS) was to examine how the proximity, features, quality, and neighborhood environments around parks influence physical activity and park use among children and adults. More specifically, some of the key research questions explored include:
- Is proximity to parks associated with physical activity participation and park use among children and adults?
- Which park features are associated with physical activity participation and park use among children and adults?
- Is park quality associated with physical activity participation and park use among children and adults?
- How does the context of the surrounding neighborhood (safety, connectivity, aesthetics, etc.) affect physical activity participation and park use among children and adults?
Study Methods
This community-based, cross-sectional study occurred concurrently with the previous phase of the Kansas City Park and Physical Activity Project (development of a community stakeholder park audit tool) and involved three integrated components. First, a mail survey completed by 893 randomly-selected households in the study neighborhoods collected information about perceptions of the neighborhood and nearby parks, physical activity behavior of children and adults in the home, and park use and park-based physical activity. The second component utilized geographic information systems (GIS) technology to gather exposure data regarding the availability and size of parks in respondents’ neighborhoods. Finally, the third component included observational audits of KCMO parks within the respondents’ neighborhoods to assess park attributes such as features, amenities, access, quality, safety, and neighborhood context.
Articles/Reports
Project Summary Report
Kansas City, Missouri: Parks and physical activity project
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity article
Are park proximity and park features related to park use and physical activity among adults? Variations by multiple socio-demographic characteristics
Health and Place article
Planning for health: A community-based spatial analysis of park availability and chronic disease across the lifespan
American Journal of Health Promotion article
Association of street connectivity and road traffic speed with park usage and park-based physical activity
Children, Youth and Environments journal article
Parental neighborhood safety perceptions and their children’s health behaviors: Associations by child age, gender, and household income
Annals of Behavioral Medicine journal article
Perceptions of neighborhood park quality: Associations with physical activity and BMI