Project Description Narrative:
The availability and quality of green spaces, such as parks, is an important component of neighborhood quality. A growing body of evidence illuminates the broad benefits of access to green space. Some work has also shown that the relationship between available green space and good health is stronger among lower socio-economic status (SES) groups, possibly due to limited mobility increasing the importance of the quality of local environments. Given the positive influence of neighborhood green space on health outcomes and the relatively limited mobility of low SES urban populations, urban parks have tremendous potential value for addressing health problems in urban neighborhoods. However, the mere presence of a park may not automatically relay benefits to the community. Parks must be properly leveraged to shift the health status of residents.
To better understand how an urban park can impact neighborhood health, project partners aim to measure the impact of a new, activated urban green space in Milwaukee on community health, including how complementary outreach and education affects knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, assets/supports and health outcomes among neighborhood residents.
Community partners: Menomonee Valley Partners, UW-Milwaukee Center for Urban Initiatives Research
Additional MCW academic partner: Amy Kistner, MS, LPC, Family and Community Medicine