Resources

Play Spaces for Vulnerable Children and Youth: A Synthesis

• Author(s): Ibrahimova, Aybaniz; Wilson, Desiree; and Pike, Ian

• Organization: BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit, Child and Family Research Unit, UBC

• Date Published: September 1, 2013

This report presents a synthesis of three studies and includes an overview of overlapping findings on children’s play space preferences as well as a description of safety issues and concerns regarding children’s play spaces.

https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Play-Spaces-Synthesis-of-Studies.pdf

Playground Safety Concerns

• Author(s): Adam Bienenstock

• Organization: Natural Playgrounds http://www.naturalplaygrounds.ca

• Date Published: January 2, 2013

This site discussed safety concerns related to natural playgrounds, including: fall heights, surfacing, and sharp objects/edges.

http://www.naturalplaygrounds.ca/safety

Policies for Maximizing Nature Tourism’s Ecological and Economic Benefits

• Author(s): Kreg Lindberg

• Organization: World Resources Institute

• Date Published: January 1, 1991

This report focuses on two basic contributions of nature tourism:

1. funding for creation and maintenance of public and private natural areas through entrance fees, concessions, and royalties; and
2. economic opportunities that reduce the pressure to encroach on natural areas for food and fiber.

With this potential in mind, two questions arise: How much does tourism actually contribute to economic development? and Which economic policies increase nature tourism’s contribution without degrading the natural resources on which it is based?

http://pdf.wri.org/policiesmaximizingnaturetourism_bw.pdf

Position on the Environment as a Context for Health

• Author(s): Margot Parkes, Courtney LaBourdais, Lindsay Beck, et al.

• Organization: Northern Health Authority

• Date Published: July 1, 2012

This paper outlines the position of Northern Health regarding the environment as a context for health. Health is tied to social, economic and personal development and these can be determined by the settings where we live, work, learn and play. This paper highlights that these settings are embedded in the physical environment. Using a population-health approach, we will engage with communities and individuals to move toward increased health and wellness for people and their environments. This will be accomplished by supporting and promoting that the health and well-being of (current and future) populations depends on healthy environments. We will work with community partners to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of those living, working, learning and playing in Northern BC.

https://www.northernhealth.ca/sites/northern_health/files/about-us/position-statements/documents/environment-context-health.pdf

Potential Environmental Determinants of Physical Activity in Adults: A Systematic Review

• Author(s): W. Wendel-Vos, M. Droomers, S Kremers, et al.

• Organization: Obesity Reviews

• Date Published: January 1, 2007

Based on the results of the present review, we conclude that research on environmental attributes associated with physical activity among adult men and women shows promising, but still a limited set of positive findings. Important environmental determinants that emerged from this review were social support, having a companion for physical activity, connectivity of trails and the availability of physical activity equipment. These associations were present most convincingly when physical activity measures were more narrowly defined. Only for walking behaviour, we found some indication that environmental determinants of physical activity may differ between men and women.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17716300

Prescribing Parks for Better Health SUCCESS STORIES

• Organization: NRPA (http://www.nrpa.org/)
• Date Published: June 7, 2013

This document shares success stories from communities that have implemented ‘Park Prescription’ programs. In 2013, with support from the National Recreation Foundation, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) provided grants to five communities across the U.S. to enhance existing ‘park prescription’ programs designed to strengthen linkages between the public park and healthcare sectors. ‘Park Prescriptions’ is a concept that connects the healthcare community and public lands to create healthier people.

http://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Grants_and_Partners/Health_and_Livability/FINAL%20Prescribing%20Parks%20for%20Better%20Health%20Success%20Stories.pdf

Project Wild Thing

• Author(s): Wild Thing Founders (http://www.projectwildthing.com/)

• Organization: Wild Thing Founders (http://www.projectwildthing.com/)

• Date Published: January 1, 2012

The Project Wild Thing website links organisations and other campaigns in Britain that help get kids, and families, out into the wild. The website will become a central hub for families to find out how to leave the indoors behind, providing information, suggestions and opportunities for getting in touch with nature. Over 800 people have signed the Project Wild Thing pledge in the first few days of the site going live.

http://www.projectwildthing.com/

Promoting Ecosystem and Human Health in Urban Areas using Green Infrastructure: A Literature Review

• Author(s): Konstantinos Tzoulas, Kalevi Korpela, Stephen Venn, et al.

• Organization: Landscape and Urban Planning

• Date Published: January 1, 2007

The aim of this paper is to formulate a conceptual framework of associations between urban green space, and ecosystem and human health. Through an interdisciplinary literature review the concepts of Green Infrastructure, ecosystem health, and human health and well-being are discussed…. (A) proposed conceptual framework highlights many dynamic factors, and their complex interactions, affecting ecosystem health and human health in urban areas. This framework forms the context into which extant and new research can be placed.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204607000503