National sample of low-income, racially diverse parents of young children were surveyed. Park satisfaction strongly tied to social capital among low-income diverse parents. Neighborhood walkability and safety from crime were also linked to social capital. Access to and use of high-quality parks may be more important than proximity to parks.
Increased crime in parks and near home was associated with fewer park visits. Greater violent crime in all locations was related tofewer park visits. Park ratings were lower for parks with high violent crime rates. Given the importance of parks as settings for outdoor recreationand physical activity, crime may have a detrimental effect on physical activity and, therefore, public health.
Some parks reduce violence in the local vicinity. Other parks attract crime. The difference has to do with how these urban green spaces are designed, programmed and managed, experts say.
Parks and greenways provide many benefits to urban communities, but their relationship to crime is often debated. We examined the links between an elevated linear trail and crime within census block groups (CBGs) surrounding Chicago’s Bloomingdale Trail, colloquially known as The 606.