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San Francisco Parks Alliance

Exercise-Based Park Partnership

Strategic Plan

Mission Statement

The mission of the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA) is to inspire and promote civic engagement and

philanthropy to protect, sustain, and enrich San Francisco parks, recreation, and green open spaces.

Goal

The goal of this strategic plan (the plan) is to provide information and guidance to support SFPA staff in

expanding the Park Partnership program to include recreation programs. More specifically, the plan should

aid staff in studying, and potentially implementing, exercise-based recreation programs that will activate

underutilized park space in neighborhoods that have some of the greatest need for and deficiency in outdoor

exercise through the Park Partnership Program.

A National Health Crisis

In the past decade a great deal of attention has been paid to the nation’s crisis of physical inactivity and the

resulting health problems, which include a high incidence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and

heart disease.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends that: “adults should do at least

150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week. Children and teenagers should do at least 1

hour of daily physical activity that includes vigorous activities.” The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) reports that, in reality, “only 25 percent of American adults engage in the recommended

levels of physical activity, and 29 percent engage in no leisure-time physical activity at all.” As a whole,

Americans are not meeting the recommended physical activity requirements to maintain health and

wellbeing.

Proximity to parks and access to recreation programs increases the frequency of exercise and physical

activity within park and open spaces. The opportunity for exercise in close-to-home parks, greenways, and

other open space should be part of any comprehensive solution to the health crisis.

Activity in Parks - Physical and Mental Health Benefits

Research has shown that parks provide space for recreational opportunities that can increase outdoor

physical activity and the resulting health benefits. A group of studies reviewed in the American Journal of

Preventive Medicine showed that “creation of or enhanced access to places for physical activity combined

with informational outreach produced a 48.4 percent increase in the frequency of physical activity.”

Proximity to parks is a major factor influencing park activity. A national study by the RAND Corporation

looked at the correlation between physical activity in adolescent girls and proximity to parks and schools.

Researchers found that girls who live close to parks participate in more physical activity than those who live

farther away.

Supporting physical exercise is only one of many ways parks and open spaces can help improve the health

of communities. The benefits extend to psychological health as well. A growing body of research shows that

mere contact with the natural world improves mental well-being.

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One of the most frequently cited studies, titled “Room with a View,” documented the recovery of surgical

patients in a Pennsylvania hospital. The rooms of some patients offered views of a stand of trees, while

others faced a brown brick wall. A review of ten years of medical records showed that patients with tree

views had shorter hospitalizations, less need for painkillers, and fewer negative comments in the nurses’

notes, compared with patients with brick-wall views.

Additional studies have found that recreational settings that have savanna-like settings are associated with

self-reported feelings of peacefulness, tranquility, or relaxation (Maller et al., 2009). According to research

in the Journal of Preventative Medicine, “viewing such settlings leads to decreased fear and anger and is

associated with enhanced mental alertness, attention, and cognitive performance, as measured by tasks such

as proofreading and by formal psychological testing” (Frumkin, 2001). This is important for specific

communities that battling trauma.

Recreation Programs Increase Park Activity

Recent research from RAND Corporation has consistently found that recreational programming increases

use and activity within parks. Results of a 2007 study on how low-income minority communities use public,

urban neighborhood parks for physical activity showed that “more people used parks when they were

provided with organized activities.” Another study carried out in 2010 study found that “the strongest

correlate of the number of people using a park was the park size and the number of organized activities

observed.” The outcomes of a 2013 research project confirmed that: “…park programming is the most

important correlate of park use and park-based physical activity.”

While close access to a park has a significant influence on whether or not an individual goes to that space, it

seems that park programming is the factor that increases one’s odds of actually being active within that

space.

Recreation and Park Department Outdoor Park Programs

The proximity of a person’s home to a park or recreation opportunities has a dramatic impact on whether or

not, and how frequently, they participate. Reports from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) show that people

who live more than one mile away from a park are less likely to engage in the park space than those living

less than one mile away. People within a half-mile distance from a park are more likely to visit the park than

those further away.

TPL’s Park Score rates a city’s park system based on these results. The goal is that every resident should be

within a half mile, which equates to a 10 minute walking distance, of a park. The same concept can be

applied to a hypothetical park exercise program. A Park Exercise Score could have a goal, for example, of

every resident being within a half mile of an organized activity program that is offered outside for at least an

hour each week.

It is important to be aware of the current state of outdoor recreation programs offered by San Francisco

Recreation and Park Department (RPD) to understand if their services meet the needs of residents

throughout the city. As discussed, close-to-home parks and recreation resources result in higher levels of

physical activity and better health outcomes for community residents (Godbey et al., 2010). Ideally, each

neighborhood in San Francisco would be within a half-mile walk to a recreational-based program once a

week.

The map on the following page displays locations of RPD summer activity programs that took place outside

in park space for at least an hour each week. These programs were consistently offered throughout the

summer.

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RPD Exercise Program Map The map presents locations of RPD exercise/activity programs that take place outside in San Francisco

parks. Each activity was offered for at least an hour each week for a minimum of one month in duration.

Buffers displayed around program locations show areas with a 0.5 and 1.0 mile radius. The map shows that

RPD alone does not support enough outdoor recreation for San Francisco residents.

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Action Steps – A Lens on Bayview and Zumba

In consideration of the actions steps outlined below, the Bayview neighborhood and a Zumba dance program

will be used to provide an example for SFPA staff on how to outreach and determine the feasibility of new

Park Partners focused on exercise programs.

As is evident from the “RPD Exercise Program Map,”the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco would

benefit from more outdoor exercise programs. Bayview continuously battles with high rates of crime,

environmental and chronic health disparities, and a median income level well below the City as a whole.

Despite these challenges, the neighborhood has a high percentage of homeowners, excellent park spaces

(including plans underway to revitalize Hilltop Park), and a strong coalition of community-building groups.

Dance has become an increasingly popular activity program within San Francisco parks; Bayview residents

have expressed interest in increasing the availability of dance programs, such as Zumba, Salsa, or African

dance.

Pre Outreach: Determine a Target Neighborhood

Identify a neighborhood that that meets the following criteria:

Limited concentration of existing Park Partnerships

In need of more exercise program support

Inequitable access, due to expense or distance, to RPD activity programs

High incidence of chronic disease and environmental health disparities

The answers to the above criteria can be determined through preliminary research prior to

community outreach. For instance, while the Bayview neighborhood does have several existing Park

Partners, including Palou Community Garden, Northridge CommUNITY Garden, and Friends of

Youngblood Coleman, pockets of inactive space remain.

As was made apparent from the “RPD Exercise Program Map,” the Bayview neighborhood needs

more park activity support. The Bayview region has a reputation for having serious environmental

issues that have led to high rates of respiratory diseases. Health disparities have historically hit the

neighborhood hard; the burden of chronic disease in Bayview is disproportionately higher than other

San Francisco neighborhoods. The health challenges that the Bayview neighborhood currently faces

illustrates the high need for more exercise-based programs.

I. Reach Out to the Community

As an initial step, contact local recreation program organizations to gain a sense of the current state

of available exercise programs. Within the Bayview, the organizations that offer free to low cost

exercise programs in parks includes RPD, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Public Schools, and the

Black Coalition on Aids. Ask about friends of parks groups and community activism organizations.

If possible, attend community meetings. Take the time to conduct informational interviews and/or

survey residents to determine what community members want from their park space.

The following are sample statements gathered during informational interviews of community

organization leaders and residents in the Bayview:

“This school offers free opportunities for physical activity. Bayview needs more

organizations to provide a place to exercise.”

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[There is] “not a whole lot of programming and facilities…” [in the Bayview

neighborhood]“…Bayview needs better parks.”

“All BVHP parks are underutilized by all use groups… the RPD programs are not meeting

the needs of the community.”

“Programs are offered in other areas, but not in Bayview”

While reaching out and forming a relationship with the community, identify motivated individuals

and/or groups excited and willing to partner with on establishing a local recreation program.

II. Address Barriers

The following barriers should be addressed early on to ensure success of an exercise based Park

Partnership:

Trauma – what potential traumas exist in the community? How can they be addressed?

o In the context of Bayview, a trauma-affected neighborhood, refer to resources such as

professionals in the field of trauma alleviation and models on strengthening

community in areas affected by trauma.

Safety – How can SFPA work with the community to increase the safety of park space where

programming will occur?

o For example, in Bayview, cooperation from the S.F. Police Department in the form of

increased safety patrols may help residents feel more at ease when attending outdoor

programs.

Availability – What would be the best time for community members to attend?

o Bayview mothers have reported that evening and weekend times are the best for busy

moms; summer months are best for outdoor programs.

Accessibility – How can SFPA ensure the program will be accessible to community

members?

o Within the Bayview, select a park, such as Hilltop (Sundial) Park, with ample parking

space, crosswalks, limited hill slope, and close to a bus route and bus stop.

III. Research Activity and Exercise Programs

Determine what types of activity programs would be most popular within the context of the

community. Also, examine feasibility in terms of barriers and consider how they can be overcome.

This step can be completed in collaboration with the potential Park Partner. Answering the following

questions is crucial to this step:

What activity will be most popular?

Which park?

What time?

Who will lead?

What are the costs?

What are physical, financial, and logistical challenges?

How can they be addressed?

In addition to answering the above questions, this step should include research on best practices of

other community supported exercise programs. For instance, “Lindy in the Park” in San Francisco

and “Salsa in the Park” in Boston have strong, community supported dance programs that could be

replicated in the Bayview.

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The table below presents estimated costs to execute a Zumba program (numbers are likely to be the same for

Salsa or African dance). Figures were gleaned from RPD’s current Zumba program, which was launched

approximately a year ago and has been very successful since its implementation:

Potential Expenses Dollar Amount

Instructor Fees $15 - $25 per hour (assume 12 classes)

Community Instructor Training $250 (equal to 24 classes)

Special Event RPD Permit Registration Fee $50

RPD Impact Fee $0.50 - $1 per participant (assume 20 people)

Initial Equipment Fee (Stereo) $100 - $200

Marketing Campaign $200 - $500

RPD User Fees (Special Event) $200 - $500

Total $990 - $1,770

IV. Identify How SFPA Can Help

SFPA can help communities make an exercise park program a reality. The following are areas in

which SFPA can offer support:

Complete the above action steps to provide preliminary research to community

Encourage and assist individuals or groups to apply for a Park Partnership

Assist the new Park Partner to get the word out by providing advice on advertisement, social

media, promotion through schools and partner organizations.

Help the new Park Partner to identify and secure funding in advance to guarantee long-term

success of the program.

Support the new Park Partner with financial management, provide insurance, engage

contractors, act as the legal entity for grants and other agreements, and general personal

support (? Something along those lines – take a look at page 10 in the other attachment).

San Francisco Parks Alliance Has a Role to Play!

Park exercise programming does not have to be left solely to RPD and traditional non-profit recreation

organizations. SFPA has the expertise to help community groups activate their park space by establishing

their own organized exercise programming. Such a Partnership Program could significantly increase

opportunities for public engagement in parks and open space, thus increasing the number of San Franciscans

able to enjoy, be active, and involved in their parks, with the associated physical and mental health benefits.