Social and Physical Benefits of Parks and Recreation Annotated Bibliography - Essay Example

The findings revealed that park use is an instrumental source of physical activity which benefitted users and residents within the area. As such, it was noted that the current number and location of public parks are insufficient to optimize service to the general local population. The article is deemed beneficial as a source of pertinent information regarding accessibility and overall improvement in physical activity of local residents, specifically those coming from the low-income level. Cohen, Deborah A., et al. "New Recreational Facilities for the Young and the Old in Los Angeles: Policy and Programming Implications.

" Journal of Public Health Policy (2009): Volume 30, S248–S263. Print. The study was conducted to determine any significant changes in terms of use of recreational facilities or parks after being remodeled or refurbished and compared with those which were not changed. The aim was specifically noted as determining whether “higher quality recreation facilities promote physical activity and serve communities better” (Cohen, Sehgal and Williamson S248). One skate park and one senior center were used as observation avenues and compared with two other skate parks and two senior centers that were not refurbished.

The methods used the System for Observing Parks and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) and validating interviews. The findings revealed that “park use results from a complex mix of factors that includes not only higher quality recreation facilities but also programming, staffing, fees, hours of operation, marketing, outreach, and perhaps a host of other human factors” (Cohen, Sehgal and Williamson S257). The information contained herein are therefore useful to the current research in terms of specifically identifying factors that could contribute to increased use of these facilities and therefore are instrumental in improving the health condition of users.

Godbey, Geoffrey C.Caldwell, Linda L., Myron Floyd and Laura L. Payne. "Contributions of Leisure Studies and Recreation and Park Management Research to the Active Living Agenda." American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2005): Vol. 28, 150 –158. Print. The authors aimed to determine the source of studies involving leisure, recreation and park use with their alleged link to active living. Other concerns pertinent to the study included presenting aspects of government recreation and park services, concepts and methods in leisure studies as well as the management of recreation and park use, urban park use, and diverse factors that were apparently contributory to increased physical activity in leisure times.

The findings revealed that a deeper understanding of leisure and the use of recreation and parks provide rationales on how park and recreational activities apparently contribute to physical activity, among others. The information contained in the study would therefore provide valuable insights to the current research. Payne, Laura L., et al. "Local Park Use and Personal Health Among Older Adults: An Exploratory Study." Journal of Park and Recreation Administration (2005): Volume 23, Number 2, 1-20. Print. The study was reportedly conducted for the purpose of evaluating the relationship between the use of local parks and the health status of elders, aged 50 and above.

Five specific research questions were explicitly stated; as the researchers allegedly used the exploratory research method with a conducted