medicine, dentistry and health sciences centre for the built … · 2009-05-02 · medicine,...

Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Centre for the Built Environment and Health

The Centre for the Built Environment and Health (C_BEH) School of Population Health M707

The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway

CRAWLEY 6009

A fact sheet on healthy public open space design for multi-users and multi-uses

Prepared by Ms Alissa Sunarja, Ms Gina Wood and Professor Billie Giles-Corti

C_BEH Funded by: Foundation Corporate Partner: OUR MISSION To undertake policy-relevant research that builds capacity and influences planning and urban design policy and practice to create healthy and sustainable communities

What is public open space? Public open space is all open space of public value, including areas of water such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs (i.e., not just land) which offer important opportunities for sport and recreation and also act as a visual amenity1. Current Issues An important issue currently faced by local governments is provision and design of Public Open Space – how much is adequate for multiple uses by multiple-users. There is a lack of adequate information, both nationally and locally, about parks and open spaces. There is no single national source of data about parks and open spaces and their use. Why was this fact sheet created? Therefore, this fact sheet was created to provide a summary of evidence and expert opinion with regards to the size, proximity, design, and required facilities for parks to optimally serve multi-users and multi-uses. It is designed to provide guidance for designers, planners, local government, the general public and other organisations that may find this information useful. How were resources obtained? Online literature searches were used to find peer-reviewed studies regarding public open space and specific uses and users e.g. older adults and walking. Expert opinion was collated from the grey literature, including various books, reports, government policies and credible guideline documents. Where gaps were identified recommendations were added from research conducted by the Centre for the Built Environment and Health. Collated information is summarised in the form of a grid. It attempts to specify what facilities are required in order to increase the different activities of the different user groups. Built environment and healthy living Life today largely encourages sedentary living, resulting in a high risk of health conditions linked with lack of physical activity e.g. type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercise and active living is an important part in creating a healthy community and must be practised by people of all age groups. One way to support and increase physical activity is by creating built environments conducive to active living. The aim of this fact sheet is to summarise the evidence to help achieve this objective.

1 Planning Policy Guidance 17, 2002 2 The Urban Green Spaces Taskforce, 2002

Healthy Park Features and Design


Figure 3. Neighbourhood park with surrounding shops (Liveable Neighbourhoods Edition 3)

Figure 2. District Park shared with a school (Liveable Neighbourhoods Edition 3)

Characteristics to note: Characteristics to note:

- Large oval for sports and active play - Houses overlooking park

- Trees surrounding park - Streets outlining park

- Streets outlining park - Connectivity to surrounding

- Seating area shops

- Different features (grassed open areas, - Trees surrounding park

trees, water features) - Grassed areas

- Centrally located in neighbourhood - Bus stops

- Houses overlooking park - Parking area

- Parking area

Characteristics to note:

- Houses overlooking park

- Streets outlining park

- Grassed areas

- Shading trees in centre and

surrounding park

- Parking area

- Play equipment Figure 4. Local park with shouses and perimeter streets (Liveable Neighbourhoods Edition 3)

urrounding

Rosalie Park, Subiaco WA: Example of a well-built m

^ Note that these diagrams are used only to point out the essential characteristics of a healthy park and are not set park designs. Shape of parks may differ.

Wanneroo Park: E

xample of a Park D

iagram C

atering for M

ulti-Users and M

ulti Uses


Rosalie Park, Subiaco: Example of a Healthy District Park

Characteristics to note: - Streets outlining park - Trees surrounding park - Grassed open area for active play - Houses overlooking park - Clearly designated sporting areas - Parking areas - Seating, toilets, bins, drink fountains - Varying ground undulations


1 At least one evidence-base 2 2-4 evidence-base 3 Expert opinion 4 Centre for the Built Environment and Health recommendations *Benefits of this size of parks have not been demonstrated in the literature, but expert opinion has been included here from the Liveable Neighbourhoods Guidelines Edition 3

Types of activities

User groups

Walking Cycling Active Play Formal Sports Relaxation and Picnic

Young children (and parents)

Locate park at most 1.6km away from the furthest house in the neighbourhood1 Provide information to local residents about nearest accessible park(s)1

Provide safe crossings to the park (include traffic lights if on a major road)1,3 Provide lighting to illuminate walking paths3 Provide drinking water3 Locate surrounding houses so that they overlook parks1,3 Ensure surveillance by passing park rangers1,3

Locate park at most 1.6km away from the furthest house in the neighbourhood1 Provide safe crossings to the park (include traffic lights if on a major road)1 Position cycle paths away from busy roads1 Provide landscaped areas for off-road cycling3 Create hard-surfaced areas for tricycles near seating and play areas3 Locate surrounding houses so that they overlook parks1,3 Ensure surveillance by passing park rangers1

Locate park at most 800m away from the furthest house in the neighbourhood1 Park size at least 1ha3 Provide 3-6 parks per 4,000 people (roughly 1 neighbourhood)1,3 Provide bins, drinking fountains and seating area (provide toilets for large parks that are further from houses)1,3 Provide lighting to illuminate active play area1,3 Provide 2-5 pieces of standard play equipment that promotes creativity and continuity of active play1,3 Irrigate and provide adequate drainage of grassed areas1,3 Do not finish playgrounds with asphalt3 Provide adequate shading1,3 Locate surrounding houses so that they overlook parks1,3 Ensure surveillance by passing park rangers3

Adolescents Provide walking paths2 Plant trees along walking paths to provide shade1 Provide lighting to illuminate walking paths2,3

Position cycle paths away from busy roads2 Ensure that cycle paths within and en route to parks are safe from traffic2 Carry out regular maintenance of the park1

Provide playgrounds with trees and shaded areas2 Provide formal and informal sports facilities such as basketball courts, swimming areas and running tracks1 Provide drinking fountains1 Ensure equipment is maintained3 Provide appropriate irrigation, drainage and regular maintenance of grassed areas3

Provide lighting to illuminate active play areas1,3

Avoid putting up prohibition signs3

Provide clearly designated outdoor sports facilities such as athletics tracks and tennis courts2,3 Provide both natural and artificial surfaces for appropriate sporting fields2,3 Illuminate sporting areas with lighting3 Provide toilets and change facilities for parks that are further away from houses3,4


Provide toilets for large parks that are further from houses3 Locate surrounding houses so that they overlook parks1,3 Ensure surveillance by passing park rangers3

Adults Locate parks within walking distance to houses i.e. 400m2,4

Pave walking paths with asphalt and line with trees for shade2,3 Provide lighting to illuminate walking paths3 Provide drinking fountains3 Provide toilets for large parks that are further from houses3 Create longer walkpaths e.g. a circuit around sporting ovals1,4 Link smaller local parks using signage to create walking trail3,4

Irrigate and regularly maintain grassed areas1,3 Create interesting features to create novelty and surprise e.g. water feature, art4

Ensure safe cycle paths within and en route to parks2 Position cycle paths away from busy roads2

Locate parks within walking distance to homes1,3 Provide sporting facilities1,3

Provide both grassed and flat areas to promote different types of active play1,3 Use lighting to illuminate active play areas1,3 Irrigate grassed areas1,3 Provide drinking fountains3 Provide toilets for large parks that are further from houses3

Provide clearly designated outdoor sporting facilities (both natural and artificial surfaces)1,3 Provide sufficient lighting to illuminate formal sports areas1,2 Irrigate and drain grassed areas1,3 Provide toilets and change facilities for parks that are further from houses3,4 Ensure appropriate specifications for sporting fields (e.g. orient tennis courts perpendicular to the sun’s course)3 Provide seating overlooking play areas4

Locate parks within walking distance from homes1

Ensure picnic areas are away from busy traffic1 Provide seating and shelter2,3 Provide lighting to illuminate seating and picnic areas2,3 Provide toilets for large parks that attract people from outside areas2,3,4 Plant various types of vegetation1,3 For larger parks, create water features1,3

Older adults Locate parks within 800m of the furthest house in the neighbourhood3 For large parks further away from houses, locate near public transport and provide parking3 Ensure safe and clear entrances and exits3 Provide flat, paved walking paths1,3 Illuminate walking paths and seating areas with lighting1

Provide seating, bins and shelter1,3 Provide toilets for larger parks further away from houses1,3 Plant attractive and diverse types of vegetation (in larger parks, create water feature)1 Carry out regular maintenance of the park3

Locate parks within 800m of the furthest house3 Ensure safe and clear entrances and exits3 For large parks further away from houses, locate near public transport and provide parking3 Provide seating, bins and shaded areas1,3 Provide lighting to illuminate seating areas3


Special thanks: Robert Didcoe (Acting Director Facilities and Camps, Department of Sport and Recreation WA), Steve Humfrey (Project Manager for Major Projects, Department of Sport and Recreation WA), Prof. Takemi Sugiyama (Research Fellow, The University of Queensland), Nick Middleton (GIS Research Associate, C_BEH)

Ensure sense of safety through high visibility from surrounding houses1

Pet owners Locate park at most 1.6km away from the furthest house1,3 Provide walking paths1,3 Put in place regulations and signage regarding behaviour of dogs and owners1,3 Provide dog-litter bags and bins2

Provide seating3

Provide free-running areas1,3 Provide seating3 Put in place regulations and signage regarding behaviour of dogs and owners1

Disabled Ensure park is wheelchair accessible3

For very large parks, provide maps depicting areas with accessible disabled paths3

General Principles

Size and Proximity Dedicate at least 10% of land to parks and public open space

Locate parks within 5 minutes walk or 400m from the furthest house in the neighbourhood* Local parks may be up to 3 000m2 and must be within 300m from the furthest house in the neighbourhood* Neighbourhood parks must be between 3 000-5 000m2 and must be within 400m walk from the furthest house in the neighbourhood. They must be located between or towards the edge of the neighbourhood* District parks must be between 2.5-7 hectares and must be within 1km walk from the furthest house in the neighbourhood. Schools may be located in conjunction with these parks to enable mixed use and effective maintenance* Provide 10-15 picnic sites per acre (about 1 100-1 300m2 each) Park must be ≥ 18 000m2 and ≥ 45m wide in the narrowest direction Socialising Provide seating where walking traffic flow is high Orient seating towards active play or sport area Group benches together to face each other where interaction is encouraged Safety Ensure clear and visible entrance and exits In large parks, provide signage to indicate entrance and exits Ensure there are no secluded pockets, inaccessible corners and dead ends Orient park to view of surrounding houses Provide guidelines and norms for use – e.g. walking paths restricted to walkers only Use lighting to illuminate seating areas Provide regular surveillance by cars and passing park rangers Aesthetics Carry out regular maintenance of the park Do not use floodlights as it creates a sense of penitentiary Provide pleasant illumination along walkpaths Use appropriate colour, textures and lines Break up monotony with intricate details – e.g. on walkpaths Keep paths en route to the parks interesting with pleasant diverse vegetation Keep equipment and all areas clean and in good working order to reduce vandalism

Maintenance Provide efficient drainage and water circulation Minimise water wastage by reusing drained water for irrigation Only assign compatible facilities to each area Locate common units together to ensure efficiency of facilities maintenance Other Test the park for wind conditions especially when creating covered areas In a large park, provide water features to maintain a sense of novelty, surprise and relaxation Where ledges are present for seating, ensure the height is 3 ft or less Provide fixed, backless benches to enable free-direction sitting Do not build park directly adjoining tall buildings Provide drink fountains and bins near seating areas Ensure grassed slopes are no steeper than 33% to ensure lawnmowers can negotiate slopes Plant diverse types of vegetation to supply shade, buffer odours, suffocate noise and retard erosion In large, busy multi-use parks, provide wider paths Ensure adequate street connectivity en route to parks Schools co-located with district parks must have adequate facilities and standards:

- Accessible change rooms after hours - Accessible toilets after hours - Drink fountains - Seating areas - Lighting - Bins

List of Resources 1. Alexander C. A Pattern Language. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. 2. Ball K, Leslie E, Owen N. Perceived environmental aesthetics and convenience, and

company are associated with walking for exercise among Australian adults. Preventive Medicine 2001;33:434-440.

3. Barnett J. Redesigning Cities. Chicago: American Planning Association, 2003. 4. Brownson R, Houseman R, Brown D. Promoting physical activity in rural

communities: walking trail access, use, and effects. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2000;18:235-241.

5. Cohen DA, Ashwood JS, Scott MM, Overton A, Evenson KR, Staten LK, et al. Public Parks and Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls. Pediatrics 2006;118(5):e1381-e1389.

6. Cutt H, Giles-Corti B, Knuiman M. Encouraging physical activity through dog walking: Why don't some owners walk with their dog? Preventive Medicine 2008;46(2008):120-126.

7. Cutt H, Giles-Corti B, Knuiman M, Burke V. Dog ownership, health and physical activity: A critical review of the literature. Health and Place 2007;13(2007):261-272.

8. Davison KK, Lawson CT. Do attributes in the physical environment influence children's physical activity? A review of the literature. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity 2006;3(19).

9. Donovan T. Natural play areas for London children. Children & Young People Now 2008:2.

10. Fein AJ, Plotnikoff RC, Wild TC, Spence JC. Perceived Environment and Physical Activity in Youth. International Journal of Behavioural Medicine 2004;11(3):135-142.

11. Giles-Corti B, Broomhall MH, Knuiman M, Collins C, Douglas K, Ng K, et al. Increasing Walking How Important Is Distance To, Attractiveness, and Size of Public Open Space? American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2005;28(2S2):169-176.

12. Giles-Corti B, Donovan RJ. The relative influence of individual, social and physical environment determinants of physical activity. Social Science Medicine 2005;54(2002):1793-1812.

13. Giles-Corti B, Donovan RJ. The relative influence of individual, social environmental and physical environmental correlates of walking. American Journal of Public Health 2003;93:1183-1189.

14. Gomez JE, Johnson BA, Selva M, Sallis JF. Violent crime and outdoor physical activity among inner-city youth. Preventive Medicine 2004;39(2004):876-881.

15. Humpel N, Owen N, Leslie E. Environmental Factors Associated with Adults' Participation in Physical Activity A Review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2002;22(3):188-199.

16. Jago R, Baranowski T, Zakeri I, Harris M. Observed Environmental Features and the Physical Activity of Adolescent Males. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2005;29(2):98-104.

17. Jorgensen A, Anthopoulou A. Enjoyment and fear in urban woodlands - Does age make a difference? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2007;6:267-278.

18. King AC, Satariano WA, Marti J, Zhu W. Multilevel Modeling of Walking Behavior: Advances in Understanding the Interactions of People, Place, and Time. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2008;40(7):S584-S593.

19. Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd. Pets In Urban Areas, 1993. 20. Mota J, Almeida M, Santos P, Ribeiro JC. Perceived Neighborhood Environments

and physical activity in adolescents. Preventive Medicine 2005;41(2005):834-836.

21. Owen N, Humpel N, Leslie E, Bauman A, Sallis JF. Understanding Environmental Influences on Walking Review and Research Agenda. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2004;27(1):67-76.

22. Payne L, Orsega-Smith B, Godbey G, Roy M. Local parks and the health of older adults. Parks & Recreation 1998;33(10):64-70.

23. Rimmer JH, Riley B, Wang E, Rauworth A, Jurkowski J. Physical Activity Participation Among Persons with Disabilities Barriers and Facilitators. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2004;26(5):419-425.

24. Roemmich JN, Epstein LH, Raja S, Yin L. The Neighborhood and Home Environments: Disparate Relationships With Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Youth. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2007;33(1):29-38.

25. Rutledge AJ. Anatomy of a Park. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1971. 26. Sallis JF, Bauman A, Pratt M. Environmental and Policy Interventions to Promote

Physical Activity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 1998;15(4):379-397.

27. Sallis JF, Nader PR, Broyles SL, Berry CC, Elder JP, McKenzie TL, et al. Correlates of Physical Activity at Home in Mexican-American and Anglo-American Preschool Children. Health Psychology 1993;12(5):390-398.

28. Seeland K, Nicolé S. Public green space and disabled users. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2006;5:29-34.

29. Sugiyama T, Thompson CW. Associations between characteristics of neighbourhood open space and older people's walking. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2008;7:41-51.

30. The Urban Green Spaces Taskforce. Green Spaces, Better Places, 2002. 31. Timperio A, Crawford D, Telford A, Salmon J. Perceptions about the local

neighborhood and walking and cycling among children. Preventive Medicine 2004;38(1):39.

32. Timperio A, Giles-Corti B, Crawford D, Andrianopoulos N, Ball K, Salmon J, et al. Features of public open spaces and physical activity among children: findings from the CLAN study. Preventive Medicine 2008.

33. Turel HS, Yigit EM, Altug I. Evaluation of elderly people's requirements in public open spaces: A case study in Bornova District (Izmir, Turkey). Building and Environment 2007;42(2007):2035-2045.

34. Wilson A, Stanford J. Children's Playgrounds In The Australian Capital Territory. Landscape Planning 1975;2:295-302.

35. Zakarian JM, Hovell MF, Hofstetter CR, Sallis JF, Keating KJ. Correlates of Vigorous Exercise in a Predominantly Low SES and Minority High School Population. Preventive Medicine 1994;23(1994):314-321.

medicine, dentistry and health sciences centre for the built … · 2009-05-02 · medicine,...

Documents