Park and Recreational Facility Availability, Leisure-Time Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Status, and Race

Research suggests that parks and recreational facilities play a critical role in providing physical activity opportunities within communities. However, the evidence for a positive association between parks and recreational facilities and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) remains uncertain. Drawing on the social-ecological model, we analyzed two years of county-level data to explore the extent to which park and recreational facility availability, socioeconomic status, and racial composition are associated with LTPA prevalence in U.S. counties. The results of a multilevel beta regression analysis within a Bayesian framework revealed a small yet positive association between park and recreational facility availability and LTPA prevalence in the county. Additionally, this association was stronger in counties with higher median household income and a greater percentage of non-Hispanic White residents. These findings suggest that, while increasing park and recreational facility availability can enhance LTPA prevalence, its benefits are attenuated in traditionally marginalized populations.