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Parks & Public Land

  • Impact of a Park-Based Afterschool Program Replicated Over Five Years on Modifiable Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    A daily afterschool program in Miami-Dade County, Florida observes significant decreases in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure between the beginning and end of the school year. Findings from this research suggest consistent, long-term afterschool programs can effectively reduce childhood obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. Read more

  • Parks and Park Funding in Los Angeles: An Equity-Mapping Analysis

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    In Los Angeles, historic land use policies that emphasized low-density housing and did not prioritize public park spaces have led to significant inequities of park access across race, ethnicity, and income. A fund designed to improve access to public parks could exacerbate this problem unless it considers proposals for nontraditional public spaces such as schoolyards… Read more

  • Childhood Obesity and Proximity to Urban Parks and Recreational Resources: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    By following a large sample of children over time, this study demonstrates that children who participate in recreation programs, or who live a walkable distance from parks, are much less likely to be obese or overweight. These benefits can be achieved through formal parks and programs, but also through accessible green space or other small,… Read more

  • Neighborhood Poverty, Park Use, and Park-Based Physical Activity in a Southern California City

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    A large study of 50 urban parks in Southern California measures park use by nearby residents and other users across high-, medium-, and low-poverty areas, finding that parks are used less in high-poverty areas. Those who do use parks in high-poverty areas, however, on average use the parks more per week, are more likely to… Read more

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