Park use patterns and park satisfaction before and after citywide park renovations in low-income New York City neighborhoods

Rachel L Thompson; Katarzyna E Wyka; Kelly R Evenson; Lorna E Thorpe; Glen D Johnson; Brian T Pavilonis; Terry T-K Huang

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-07264-3

Park use patterns and park satisfaction before and after citywide park renovations in low-income New York City neighborhoods

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 2;15(1):23036. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07264-3.

Authors

Rachel L Thompson^{1

2

3}, Katarzyna E Wyka^{1

2}, Kelly R Evenson⁴, Lorna E Thorpe^{2

5}, Glen D Johnson^{1

3}, Brian T Pavilonis³, Terry T-K Huang^{6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Center for Systems and Community Design, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
² NYU-CUNY Prevention Research Center, New York, NY, USA.
³ Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
⁵ Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University (NYU), New York, NY, USA.
⁶ Center for Systems and Community Design, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA. terry.huang@sph.cuny.edu.
⁷ NYU-CUNY Prevention Research Center, New York, NY, USA. terry.huang@sph.cuny.edu.

Abstract

Urban parks may promote health through physical activity, stress management, and social connectedness. However, poor-quality parks in disrepair are underutilized, limiting these benefits. This study evaluated the impact of a citywide park renovation program known as the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) on changes in park use patterns and park satisfaction among residents living in low-income New York City neighborhoods. Repeated cross-sectional surveys were administered to residents living near 31 parks undergoing CPI renovations (545 pre-renovation and 201 post-renovation respondents) and near 21 parks in socio-demographically matched control neighborhoods (345 pre-renovation and 129 post-renovation respondents). Surveys measured self-reported past-month park visits, typical park visit duration, and satisfaction with park quality and facilities. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, generalized estimating equations were fit to compare changes over time in park use and satisfaction among residents living near parks receiving renovations compared to those living near control parks. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, income, public housing, marital status, and children in household. Residents in neighborhoods receiving park renovations reported a larger increase in minutes spent at the park on weekdays [DID = 30.0 min (95% CI 10.3, 49.7)] and total minutes spent at the park in the last 30 days [DID = 466.3 min (95% CI 63.0, 869.6)] compared to controls. Residents of renovated park neighborhoods also reported larger increases in park satisfaction relative to residents of control neighborhoods, with the largest improvements in the percent of residents satisfied with overall park quality [DID = 38.4% (95% CI 25.2, 51.6)] and maintenance of grounds and facilities [DID = 40.9% (95% CI 27.7, 54.1)]. This study provides evidence that park renovations are an important urban planning strategy to support community health through increased park use and improved park perceptions.

Keywords: Built environment; Natural experiment; Park renovation; Park satisfaction; Park use; Urban health.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neighborhood Characteristics
New York City
Parks, Recreational* / statistics & numerical data
Personal Satisfaction*
Poverty*
Recreation*
Residence Characteristics
Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

MeSH terms

Grants and funding