Assessing Correlates of Park Access in Philadelphia

Introduction: Parks and outdoor spaces can contribute to the overall well-being of a community. Studies have shown that exposure to green spaces can positively impact mental and physical health, but there is not equitable access to these spaces in all areas. This is particularly an issue in urban areas, where there are large populations and developmental density with less open space. In Philadelphia, there is not equitable access to safe parks in every neighborhood. It is important to identify the predictors of park access in Philadelphia because they can highlight the characteristics of people with more or less access. The predictors can also provide insight into which health outcomes are associated with park access in Philadelphia. Methods: This analysis utilized the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) Household Health Survey (HHS) data. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the predictors of park access using the 2018 data. Maps for the 2012, 2015, and 2018 data were constructed using ArcGIS Online to visualize how park access has changed over time by planning district in Philadelphia. Results: Gender, age, race, education, social capital, asthma, and high blood pressure were associated with park access. Respondents to the HHS reported less access to parks over time in the Central Northeast, Lower Northeast, and North Delaware planning districts. Discussion: Park access is not equitable across all sociodemographic groups in Philadelphia, with some groups having lower odds of access to a park than others