Developed by Center for Active Living, University of Utah, then Indiana University, RPTS, Dr. David Compton

2009‐10 IPRA –Bloomington, IN as Alpha site Contract w/ GreenPlay LLC / GP RED  Research team from variety of related disciplines (e.g.) 

anthropology, landscape architecture, health science, kinesiology, political science, environmental health 

Collaboration with Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Safety, Transportation, Planning, Schools

Moral concern for the health of others 16% of the total US budget spent on health 

care Public parks and recreation agencies play an 

underappreciated role in US healthcare Now we must go beyond simply documenting 

physical resources and assets in communities Overall Systematic Analysis for the community 

vs. just another Program Approach

If 10% of adults began a walking program, $5.6 billion in heart disease costs could be saved in the U.S. each year.

Residents of sprawled communities have 35% more likelihood of being obese than compact communities

The lifetime medical costs of 5 diseases/ conditions (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high cholesterol) among moderately obese people are $10,000 higher per person than at a healthy weight 

Economic Benefits of ActivityStrong Return on Investment

Overall Public Health and Wellness

NutritionIndividual 

Constitution, Basic 

Preferences, Security, and 

Living Environment

Medical CareRecreation

Cognitive, Social, Physical, and 

Spiritual Activities, along with facilities 

Our Fit in Overall Public Health

Parks and Recreation play a strong community role for those items in 

green, and can work with the others

Learning from HIAs, SOPARC, and other Available Assessment Tools

Geographic Site or Topic Specific Assessments Food Availability – Deserts / Swamps / Local Physical Activity Indicators – design, activity, or 

emotional components Safe Routes to School / Walk Audits Prescriptions for Play Let’s Move, Achieve, It Starts in Parks, and other 

programs designed to evoke change

How does an agency know what to do? 

The HCRG Surveillance and Management Toolkit (SMT)

A series of facilitated steps with digital and print‐ready templates to help 

16% of the total US budget for health care Public parks and recreation agencies play an 

underappreciated role in US  Now we must go beyond simply documenting 

physical resources and assets in communities Overall Systematic Analysis for the community 

vs. just another Program Approach

HCRG Surveillance and Management ToolkitFive Elements for Systems Analysis

Warrant for Action

•Start inquiry

•Input information

•Create documents

•Start database

•Data transmission

•Warrant for intervention

•Proposal for action

Community Systems

• Convene Stakeholders

• Intersections• Collaborations• Partnerships• Agreements• Shared assets

• Negative Markers

Policies, Laws & Procedures

• Laws (Fed, State, County, City)

• Ordinances• Agency

regulations• Agency policies

& practices

Fiscal Resources & Distribution

• Identify funding paths

• Determine allocation patterns/%

• Identify sources of $$

• Document use of $$$

• Identify ROI

Inventory of Assets &

Affordances

• Assets• Built• Natural

• Affordances• Formal

programs• Services

Why?Who?

Impact?

Why?Who?

Impact?

Why?Who?

Impact?

s communit

y working?

s communit

y working?

How Is our community working?

What influence

s AL?

What influence

s AL?

What influenceon AL?

What funds?

For what?

What funds?

For what?

What funds?

For what?

What do we have?What do

we have?What do we have?

National and Local Data  Local Demographics and Relevant Trends

An online Youth Activities and Nutrition Survey (YANS) through Schools hosted by East Carolina University.

Community Profile and YANS

Factors may reduce obesogenic behaviors of children age 8‐14 years.

Utilities of each factor Round 1

ParticipantsNutrition regimen

Social interaction

Transportation services

Physical activity

Safety Sum

1 30 20 20 20 10 1002 20 20 30 15 15 1003 20 30 10 25 15 1004 20 30 10 30 10 1005 30 20 15 15 20 1006 25 15 15 25 20 1007 25 20 10 25 20 1008 20 30 10 25 15 1009 10 50 10 10 20 10010 30 15 10 25 20 100

Factors may reduce obesogenic behaviors of children age 8‐14 years.

Utilities of each factor Round 1

ParticipantsNutrition regimen

Social interaction

Transportation services

Physical activity

Safety Sum

1 30 20 20 20 10 1002 20 20 30 15 15 1003 20 30 10 25 15 1004 20 30 10 30 10 1005 30 20 15 15 20 1006 25 15 15 25 20 1007 25 20 10 25 20 1008 20 30 10 25 15 1009 10 50 10 10 20 10010 30 15 10 25 20 100

Copyright® Kiboum Kim

Component-Based Inventory and LOS Analysis

Assets – Walkability• Components• Access / Location• Functionality

Affordances Analysis

Community Assessment Tool – determine a community’s level of ‘active access’

Funding Mechanisms – implement Safe Routes To Play initiatives

Promote Awareness – the value of a child‐centered active transportation model

Accepted Planning Practices – for transportation, community, and trails planners

Partnerships – with key government, academic, non‐profit and business entities

What if all children had the opportunity to safely bicycle, ski, skate, scoot, or walk to their play destinations?

For more information, contact Cindy Heath, cindyh@gpred.org, 303-501-7697

Bloomington, IN ‐ Toolkit creation, Partnership with IUB ‐Kinesiology Graduates directly working with youth (more than 30 so far). Funded FT Coordinator, multiple grants.

South Bend, IN – Creation of AYI, Passport to Play, AYI Facebook Page, Prescription to Play, Added Alternative Providers, Participation Increases.

Liberty, MO ‐ Increased partnerships with County Health, Schools, and Hospitals, stakeholder identification and new programs, full inventory and focus on walkability, YANS Survey created with East Carolina University. 

Arlington Heights, IL; Pearland, TX; Halifax County, NC

Provide access to parks and recreation facilities for 80% of Americans

Facilitate opportunities to participate in active recreation (75% within two miles)

Inform and educate public about healthy lifestyle choices

Provide leadership to mobilize community and state wide initiatives

Why Parks and RecreationAs a Solution?

With continued testing and alliances (Interested?)

Healthy Communities Research Group

Teresa Penbrooke, MAOM, CPRETeresaP@GPRED.org 303-870-3884

Cindy Heath, CPRPCindyH@GPRED.org 303-501-7697

www.GPRED.org

Questions?  Thanks!

East Carolina University