Study of Parks & Playgrounds in Europe: Key to Children's Health & Physical Activity

Education, Public Space & Playground

May 29, 2024

A group of researchers writing in the Environmental Research & Public Health journal in Europe found interesting facts that the presence of parks and children's playgrounds in residential areas has a positive impact on children's health. Not only does it make them more active, but it also helps children with a tendency towards obesity to achieve better body balance.

In this study, the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds in the home environment were closely related to children's physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI). The study found that children living within a radius of 500-1,000 meters from a park tended to use the playground facilities more frequently. In percentage terms, children living close to parks experienced a 42% increase in daily physical activity.

A similar phenomenon was observed in the United States. There, children who had parks and playgrounds within 800 meters of their homes were 2.5 times more likely to increase their physical activity. Therefore, it is clear that the proximity of parks and playgrounds to children's homes has a significant impact on their activity levels.

Additionally, the data shows that the number of playgrounds in the home environment positively correlates with increased visits to the park. Within smaller radii (250-500 meters), children living in neighborhoods with the highest number of playgrounds could make up to five times more active visits compared to those living in areas with fewer parks.

These findings reinforce the idea that it is essential to design environments with numerous parks as close as possible to where children live. The presence of parks also serves as vital facilities to promote children's health.

The study also reported that the availability of parks and public recreational spaces is linked to reductions in childhood obesity. However, promoting healthy eating is also crucial to supporting this reduction in obesity. Therefore, relying solely on the availability of parks is not enough; it must be accompanied by efforts to promote healthy eating habits.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the distance from home to the park does not always apply in all countries. In Australia, for instance, it was found that children do not always visit the nearest park. Often, children and their parents choose to visit parks farther from home. It seems there is a specific attraction to certain parks that makes them willing to walk further, even though there is a closer park.

Current evidence suggests that the attractiveness of parks is greatly influenced by certain features such as playgrounds, gymnastic equipment, open green areas, and others. Therefore, it is important not only to consider the distance between homes and parks but also to think about the features within the parks that meet the needs of the local community.

By designing child-friendly environments with attractive parks and playground facilities, we can encourage children to be more active and healthy. Datra is ready to help you realize your dream of building quality parks and playgrounds for children. Contact Datra now; our team is ready to support your planning.

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