The green urban park: Characteristics of use through systematic observation

Abstract

Among numerous benefits, urban parks promote opportunities for the practice of physical activities (PA). In Presidente Prudente - SP, the Parque do Povo is the main public space for leisure in the city. This article aims to verify the relationship between parks and PA, and discuss its potential in health promotion environmental strategies. The level of PA and characteristics of its use have been collected through the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC), tool that is based on systematic observations. The data collection was carried out in 2015 and 19,105 individuals have been observed. The night period was the more frequented overall (53%), the moderated PA was predominant (54%), and sedentary activities have increased on weekends. The adults represented 59% of the sample, and men 65%. The results shows a positive relationship between the park and practice of physical activities and that certain periods of the day and week and other preferences of the users have to be observed for efficient programs of health promotion in urban environments.