Demographic Differences in Perceptions of Outdoor Recreation Areas Across a Decade.

Outdoor recreation areas (ORAs) are key components of healthy communities and are linked with health behaviors, such as physical activity (PA). One way to promote greater use of ORAs, such as trails and parks, may be to increase awareness and improve perceptions of these spaces as safe, low-cost resources for PA. However, relatively few studies have examined the role of awareness of and perceptions about places to be active in ORA use, and even fewer have explored temporal changes in these factors within entire populations. Hence, this study examined differences that occurred across a decade and within demographic subgroups concerning awareness of, perceptions about, and use of ORAs in a Southeastern county. Cross-sectional telephone surveys with independent samples completed in 2000 (n = 1,055) and 2011 (n = 1,011) assessed respondents' perceptions of ORAs, PA levels, and demographic information. Logistic regression analyses and interaction models were used to examine changes in multiple outcome variables across time by demographic subgroups. Awareness of ORAs, perceived safety, and reported use of ORAs were associated with age, race, gender, and education level. Overall awareness of and perceptions about safety and the number of opportunities to be active improved between 2000 and 2011. However, more marked improvements were observed for some demographic groups than for others. Interaction models revealed awareness improved over time for Whites and for younger adults, while perceptions of safety improved among residents who were less educated and those who did not meet PA recommendations. The ORA use declined among females, but increased among males. Results suggested that promotion efforts may need to be directed toward minority populations and that safety may still be a theme to address in ORA use, especially among individuals who are already active elsewhere. For park and recreation practitioners, ongoing efforts to monitor perceptions about parks and recreational services may provide insightful information about to whom to promote use of parks, trails, and other outdoor recreation areas. Examining differences within subgroups across time can help to identify potential priority populations to address in efforts to increase PA and encourage ORA use which in turn may address health disparities and improve public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]