Health Promotion in Public Parks: A Statewide Study in Texas Cities

Abstract

City parks can promote health and health equity through many pathways and programs. In this study, we aimed to characterize health promotion efforts in city parks across the state of Texas. We surveyed the state’s 50 largest municipal park systems, asking about: park system metrics (acreage, budget, etc.), facilities, health promotion programs, health promotion partnerships, park equity initiatives, and challenges and barriers to health promotion efforts. Among the 30 cities (60%) that responded, health promotion programs and initiatives were common. These included fitness classes (in 100% of responding park systems), health education programming (66.7%), health fairs, health screenings, and walking/running groups (56.7% each). Programs serving special populations included those for the elderly (97%), for visitors using wheelchairs (86.7%), for low-income visitors (73.3%), and for racial and ethnic minorities (56.7%). Park systems reported a wide range of partnerships with health organizations—nonprofit organizations more commonly than hospitals or health departments. Few park systems engaged health professionals directly, in efforts such as Walk with a Doc. This study confirms that parks promote health through diverse initiatives and partnerships. It also highlights further opportunities for health promotion in parks, including partnerships with health organizations, engagement of health professionals, enhanced emphasis on mental health and nutrition, and outcome evaluation. These findings emphasize the importance of making health promotion a central part of park planning and operations, especially by building partnerships with health professionals and evaluating program outcomes. Park leaders and advocates can use these insights to secure resources and align park programs with broader community health and equity goals.