title: Examining public open spaces by neighborhood-level walkability and deprivation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Public open spaces (POS) are recognized as important to promote physical activity engagement. However, it is unclear how POS attributes, such as activities available, environmental quality, amenities present, and safety, are associated with neighborhood-level walkability and deprivation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve neighborhoods were selected within 1 constituent city of Auckland, New Zealand based on higher (n = 6) or lower (n = 6) walkability characteristics. Neighborhoods were dichotomized as more (n = 7) or less (n = 5) socioeconomically deprived. POS (n = 69) were identified within these neighborhoods and audited using the New Zealand-Public Open Space Tool. Unpaired 1-way analysis of variance tests were applied to compare differences in attributes and overall score of POS by neighborhood walkability and deprivation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  POS located in more walkable neighborhoods have significantly higher overall scores when compared with less walkable neighborhoods. Deprivation comparisons identified POS located in less deprived communities have better quality environments, but fewer activities and safety features present when compared with more deprived neighborhoods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive relationship existed between presence of POS attributes and neighborhood walkability, but the relationship between POS and neighborhood-level deprivation was less clear. Variation in neighborhood POS quality alone is unlikely to explain poorer health outcomes for residents in more deprived areas.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Hannah M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Badland
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Keam
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Witten
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kearns
mesh_terms: D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009520:New Zealand; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety; D014505:Urban Population; D016138:Walking