dove springs neighborhood obesity analysis

Children’s Optimal Health analyzed counts of 2009 crime data provided by the

Austin Police Department for the city of Austin, looking specifi cally at crimes

that could contribute to a parent’s or a child’s perception of danger. The highest

incidences of crime in the Dove Springs neighborhood are near the shopping

centers at the intersection of IH-35 and William Cannon and the intersection of

Pleasant Valley and Stassney (mix of residential and commercial). Areas near

parks and schools have few occurrences of crime as most crimes occurred in

the residential and commercial areas.

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body mass index

Body Mass Index (BMI) data for the Dove Springs neighborhood around

Mendez Middle School showed the highest counts of obesity in nearly all of the

neighborhood residential areas.

crimeStudy Area Reference Map

(austin city limits shown)

Dove Springs Neighborhood AnalysisOctober-November 2010 | compiled for CRP 384, Public Health & the Built Environment | Dr. Tal ia McCray

Kate Bedford, Ana Calhoun, Sara Hammerschmidt, Lindsey Jones, Andres Galindo, Katie Mulholland, Toshi Ogura

Median Family Income(in 1999 dollars)

Population DensityRenter Occupied Housing

White Population

demographics

Children’s Optimal Health collected Body Mass Index (BMI) data of middle

school students in the Austin area. The Dove Springs neighborhood showed the

highest count of obese students in the city, making it an ideal neighborhood for

further study. Why does this neighborhood exhibit these high levels of obesity

among middle school students? What aspects of the neighborhood (including

parks, restaurants, land use, crime, public transportation, sidewalks and grocery

stores) might contribute to obesity? What interventions might help increase

physical activity and healthy food consumption in the neighborhood? Through

neighborhood focus groups, site visits and spatial analyses, our class analyzed

the current conditions of the Dove Springs Neighborhood and surrounding areas.

overview

Black PopulationHispanic Population

Renter Occupied 67% - 98%

43% - 66%

24% - 42%

Hispanic Population64% - 76%

32% - 63%

0% - 31%

Black Population14% - 17%

12% - 13%

9% - 11%

White Population46% - 71%

38% - 45%

0% - 37%

Population Density (3500 - 5700

180 - 3400

170

Median Family Income ($37,127.01 - $43,375.00

$30,714.01 - $37,127.00

$30,714.00

• Black (14-17%)

• Hispanic (64-74%)

• Renter-Occupied (43-66%)

• Lowest Median Family Income

• Medium Population Density

• Predominantly White (46-71%)

• Predominantly Renter-Occupied (67-98%)

• Higher Median Family Income

• Medium Population Density

• Predominantly Hispanic (64-74%)

• Predominantly Owner-Occupied (58-76%)

• Lower Median Family Income

• High Population Density

connectivityin the Dove Springs Neighborhood

land useThe primary land use in Dove Springs is single-family residential. A large number

of mobile homes exist South of William Cannon. The majority of commercial

areas are along the IH-35 boundary of the neighborhood; however, there are a

few smaller commercial parcels located within the neighborhood. Multi-family

apartment complexes are distributed throughout the area, mainly along William

Cannon and Nuckols Crossing. To the east and south are two major parks and

two golf courses: McKinney Falls State Park, Onion Creek Park and Jimmy Clay

and Roy Kizer Golf Courses. Several Austin Independent School District schools

are also located within the study area.

Vacant ParcelsData from the City of Austin (2008) show many city owned parcels that are also categorized as “undeveloped” in the Dove Springs area. These parcels are primar-ily located near parks and within the residential areas, and could be ideal places for healthy development, such as a farmer’s markets and/or community gardens.

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¸public transportation & bikeFive Capital Metro bus routes serve the Dove Springs area.

transportation

Study Area Reference Map(austin city limits shown)

street analysisPleasant Valley Road

Mixed land uses

Primarily single-family housing

Four-lane road, 40 mph speed limit

Fair road conditions

Incomplete sidewalks

Fair walking/cycling environment

Road oriented lighting

Crosswalks at major intersections

No bicycle routes, few amenities

Bus stops mostly signage only

Few bus stops with benches

William Cannon DriveMixed land uses


Six-lane road, 40 mph speed limit

Fair road conditions

Complete sidewalks




Bicycle lane, no amenities

Bus stops have signage only

Jacaranda Drive/Dovehill DriveSingle family housing only

Four-land road, 30 mph speed limit

Good road conditions, on-street parking







Route 7 (Local)Main bus route serving:Walmart (Rutherford Lane)Highland MallBrackenridge Hospital University of TexasTexas State Capitol/Downtown 6th Street DistrictHEB, IH35 & E. RiversideVeteran’s Administration/IRS Mendez Middle School Wm Cannon & IH35 shopping center

Route 127 (Flyer)Twice daily route serving:St. David’s Hospital (32nd and Red River)The University of TexasTexas State Capitol/DowntownDove Springs neighborhood

Route 311 (Stassney) Cross-town bus route serving: Mendez Middle School Crockett High SchoolCherry Creek Shopping Center Westgate MallSunset Valley Shopping Center

Route 486 (Night Owl) Four times daily between 12 am and 4 am serving: Wm Cannon & Pleasant Valley 6th and Congress

Route 333 (Wm Cannon) Cross-town bus route serving: Palm Elementary school Dove Springs neighborhood HEB, Wm Cannon & Manchaca Oak Hill Park and RideACC Pinnacle Campus

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Land Use Map Vacant Parcels

CONTINUITY Map



Nuckols Crossing RoadMixed land uses

Single-family housing and institutional

Two-lane road, 35 mph speed limit

Good road conditions


Fair walking and cycling environment




Bus stops mostly signage only

Bus stop near school covered with benches

Stassney LaneSingle and multi-family housing only



Complete sidewalks






Teri RoadMixed land uses




Complete sidewalks



Crosswalks at major/few minor intersections



SPEED LIMITS Map

BUS ROUTES Map

BIKE ROUTES Map

City Owned Parcels (2008)



k e y n a m e f o o d s t o r e t y p e l o c a t I o n

1 All Star Grocery Convenience Store S. Pleasant Valley Rd. & Teri Rd.

2 Teri Food Mart Convenience Store Pepper Ln. & Teri Rd.

3 Little Caesars Pizza Pizza Restaurant

4 Food Spot Convenience Store

5 Mi Victoria Bakery Bakery

6 Church's Chicken Fast-Food Store

7 Sonic Drive-In Fast-Food Store

8 McDonalds Fast-Food Store

9 Taco Bell Fast-Food Store

10 Whataburger Fast-Food Store

11 Long John Silvers Fast-Food Store

12 Taco Cabana Fast-Food Store

13 Wendys Fast-Food Store

14 Kentucky Fried Chicken Fast-Food Store

15 Krispy Kreme Donuts Fast-Food Store I-35 & E. Stassney Ln.

16 Sonic Drive-In Fast-Food Store

17 Valero Corner Store #2194 Convenience Store

18 Cannon Food Mart Convenience Store

19 Valero Corner Store #2169 Convenience Store

20 Pollos Asados el Regio Mobile Food Service

21 Texan Food Mart Convenience Store Old Lockhart Hwy. & Sunny Hills Dr.

Bluff Springs Rd. & William Cannon Dr.

S. Pleasant Valley Rd. & E. Stassney Ln.

I-35 & William Cannon Dr.

unhealthy food store inventory

Nuckols Crossing Rd. & E. Stassney Ln.

S. Pleasant Valley Rd. & William Cannon Dr.


1 Subway Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

2 La Hacienda Market Medium Sized Grocery Stores

3 China Harbor Restaurant Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

4Twin Peaks Eats, Drinks, & Scenic Views

Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

5 Romano's Macaroni Grill Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

6 Logan's Roadhouse Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

7Applebee's Neighborhood Grill

Non-Fast-Food Restaurant I-35 & Nelms Rd.

8La Moreliana #2, Meat Market, Vegetables

Medium Sized Grocery StoresBluff Springs Rd. & William Cannon Dr.

9Mama Celia's Restaurant, Carniceria, Breakfast Tacos

Non-Fast-Food Store

10La Casa del Minitaco, La Placita Mexican Restaurant

Non-Fast-Food Store

I-35 & E. Stassney Ln.

I-35 & William Cannon Dr.

intermediate food store inventory

S. Pleasant Valley Rd. & E. Stassney Ln.


1 HEB Supermarket I-35 & William Cannon Dr.

2 Fiesta Supermarket I-35 & E. Stassney Ln.

healthy food store inventory

Food Types Rundle's Criteria NAICS index Healthy

supermarkets fruits and vegetable stores natural/health food stores

445110 Supermarkets 445110 Grocery stores 445110 Food stores 445230 Fruit/vegetable

Intermediate other non-fast-food restaurants medium sized grocery stores fish markets specialty food stores

422430 Dairy Product Wholesaler 445220 Fish markets 722110 Restaurants, full service 722110 Fine dining 722110 Family restaurants

Unhealthy fast-food stores pizza restaurants convenience stores bodegas bakeries candy and nut stores meat markets

445120 Convenience stores 447110 Gasoline stations with convenience stores 445210 Meat markets 445291 Baked goods 445292 Confectionery/nut stores 722110 Steak houses 722110 Pizzerias, full service 722212 Cafeterias 722211 Limited Service Restaurants 722211 Fast-food restaurants 722211 Pizza parlor, limited service 722211 Pizza delivery shops 722211 Delicatessens 722211 Sandwich shops 722110 Bagel shops, full service 722213 Beverage bars 722213 Doughnut shops 722213 Ice cream parlors 722213 Pretzel shops 722330 Mobile Food Service

Types of FoodSource: Rundle A, Neckerman L, Freeman G, Lovasi M, Purciel J, Quinn C, Richards N, Sircar, Weiss C. Neighborhood Food Environment and Walkability Predict Obesity in New York City. Environ Health

Perspect 2009; 117(3): 442-47.


HEALTHY Food Store Map*

INTERMEDIATE Food Store Map*

UNHEALTHY Food Store Map*

* See ‘Types of Food’ list for food store type categorization method.

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food accessfood accessin the Dove Springs Neighborhood

healthy foodFor the majority of Dove Springs residents, healthy food sources are a car or bus

trip away.

intermediate foodVarious intermediate healthy food sources are accessible to I-35 traffi c; however,

only three locations serve the immediate residents of Dove Springs.

unhealthy foodAs seen in the inventory, unhealthy food is by far the most prominent food type

available to the residents of the Dove Springs Neighborhood. Multiple nodes

of unhealthy food sources are easily accessible via a ten minute walk for most

residences.

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“We need less greasy places to eat. Reduce the number of fast food restaurants. I would like to see more healthy organic and vegetarian places to eat, like the one on Chicon (Mr. Natural). They know how to make healthy food taste good!” -Dove Springs resident and middle school student




Schools Map

& recreationin the Dove Springs Neighborhood

physical activity

SchoolsTrack

Courts(Basketball,

Fields(Baseball, Playgrounds Shading Gymnasium

Schools Tennis) Soccer)

1 Mendez Middle Yes Yes Yes No Poor Yes1 Mendez Middle Yes Yes Yes No Poor Yes

2 Widen Elementary No Yes Yes Yes Poor Yes2 Widen Elementary No Yes Yes Yes Poor Yes

3 Houston Elementary Yes Yes Yes Yes Poor Yes

4 Langford Elementary No Yes No Yes Good Yes

5 Rodriguez Elementary No Yes No Yes Poor Yes

6 Perez Elementary Yes No No Yes Poor Yes

7 Bedicheck Middle Yes Yes Yes No Adaquate Yes

parks & recreation centerRecreation CenterThe Dove Springs Recreation Center and the Southeast Austin Public Library

were opened in 1998 to provide activities in the vicinity of Widen Elementary

School and Mendez Middle School. However, those facilities are underutilized,

due to limited staffi ng, operational hours, program fees, and neighborhood safety

issues.

ParksSmall neighborhood parks and larger district/metropolitan/state parks in the Dove

Springs neighborhood provide opportunities for physical activities; including

sports, walking, and biking. However, the biggest issue may be the negative

perceptions of personal security by parents and children. Empty parks are often

observed even during the day time.

schoolsAccording to Dr. Dolly Lambdin, a physical education expert from the University

of Texas, although Texas law (Senate Bill 19/1357) requires 135 minutes per week

of TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) based physical activity, there

is no accountability system in place to ensure students get this time. In some

districts children have physical education classes with a specialist only once

or twice a week for a total average of 75 minutes a week. Classroom teachers

are charged with providing the remaining 60 minutes per week; however, it is a

struggle to make this happen. After-school activities using school facilities and

teachers are underutilized due to limited budgets, staffi ng, and liability issues.

However, some teachers have initiated after-school programs with the PTA by

securing tentative grant money. A more comprehensive approach to physical

education, health, school meals, and parents’ education are needed. Bedichek

Middle School allows a non-profi t organization to run an after-school program

with volunteers. Schools in other areas of Austin are partnering with recreation

centers and public libraries to share their facilities.

“The problem with the Recreation Center is that they use to have more free activities, but now they cost between 35 to 50 bucks, it is too high for us. We have 4 kids and we can´t afford that, it´s too much. My sons go to the karate because it is free.” -Dove Springs resident and mother

“I stopped playing football at 12 because I couldn’t do it any more at the Recreation Center.”-Dove Springs resident and middle school student

“I never go to Franklin park. At any hour it is unsafe.”-Dove Springs resident and student

“We wish we could have a safer park system, during the day it is ok, but once it starts to get darker we get scared. So it limits us the use of this places. More bike lanes for our kids. They all have bikes but they don´t use them.” -Dove Springs resident and mother

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Parks & Recreation Center Map

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ParksBiking & Walking

Trails

Courts(Basketball,

Fields(Baseball, Playgrounds Shading Benches

TrailsTennis) Soccer)

1Dove Springs Recreation

Yes Yes Yes No Poor Few1Center

Yes Yes Yes No Poor Few

2Franklin NeighborhoodP k

Yes Yes Yes Yes Adaquate Few2Park

Yes Yes Yes Yes Adaquate Few

3Kendra PageNeighborhood Park

Yes No No No Good NoNeighborhood Park

4McKinney Falls StatePark

Yes No No No Good YesPark

5Onion Creek DistrictPark & Greenbelt

Yes No No Yes Good NoPark & Greenbelt

6Onion Creek SoccerComplex

No No Yes No Poor No

7Ponciana NeighborhoodPark

No No No No Good No

Willi C k E t8

Williamson Creek EastGreenbelt

Yes No No No Good No

School

Park

Trail

dove springs neighborhood obesity analysis

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