A new study from UC Irvine’s Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health suggests that the way public safety is managed in parks significantly influences how much residents use them for physical activity. Researchers found that community-led safety programs in South Los Angeles parks were associated with higher overall levels of physical activity, particularly among Black park users. This finding indicates that the type of safety intervention can be a stronger predictor of physical activity than the quality of park features and amenities themselves.
The study examined nearly 4,000 park users across 17 public parks in South Los Angeles. Researchers used a standardized observational tool to record users’ age, sex, race, ethnicity, and physical activity levels, from sedentary behaviors to vigorous activities. The research compared two distinct approaches to public safety. Eight parks participated in Safe Passages, a community-based violence prevention program where local Community Intervention Workers, trained in de-escalation, patrol neighborhood spaces. Nine parks were part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Safety Partnership, which places police officers in neighborhoods to foster relationships and deter crime.
Results showed higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among visitors at Safe Passages parks compared to those using Community Safety Partnership parks. This difference was most pronounced among Black park users, who constituted 53 percent of visitors at Safe Passages parks and were significantly more physically active. Even when accounting for differences in age, sex, race, and park conditions, the specific type of safety intervention was more strongly associated with physical activity than amenities like basketball courts, soccer fields, restrooms, or water fountains.
Jason Douglas, Ph.D., an associate professor of health, society and behavior at Wen Public Health and the study’s corresponding author, noted that public parks are critical community resources. He stated, “access to those resources is shaped by much more than whether a park has a basketball court or a soccer field.” The findings suggest that the approach to safety and who leads these programs may influence comfort levels for physical activity.
The study’s publication in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health aligns with public health experts' growing recognition of physical activity, neighborhood safety, and green space as social determinants of health. These factors are crucial for preventing chronic conditions and supporting overall well-being. Historically, many communities of color have had less access to safe, well-maintained parks due to long-standing structural inequities.
The research also found that children were more physically active in parks participating in the Community Safety Partnership program, suggesting that no single public safety strategy equally benefits every population. The UC Irvine team concluded that future research should explore how park design, recreational programming, and various safety models can collaborate to serve diverse communities. Douglas emphasized that investments in parks should be viewed as investments in public health, advocating for tailored safety strategies to meet the needs of different populations.
