title: Do features of public open spaces vary between urban and rural areas?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Parks are an important setting for physical activity and specific park features have been shown to be associated with park visitation and physical activity. Most park-based research has been conducted in urban settings with few studies examining rural parks. This study examined differences in features of parks in urban compared with rural areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2009/10 a tool was developed to audit 433 urban and 195 rural parks located in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia. Features assessed included: access; lighting/safety; aesthetics; amenities; paths; outdoor courts/ovals; informal play spaces; and playgrounds (number, diversity, age appropriateness and safety of play equipment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rural parks scored higher for aesthetics compared with urban parks (5.08 vs 4.44). Urban parks scored higher for access (4.64 vs 3.89), lighting/safety (2.01 vs 1.76), and diversity of play equipment (7.37 vs 6.24), and were more likely to have paths suitable for walking/cycling (58.8% vs 40.9%) and play equipment for older children (68.2% vs 17.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the findings cannot be generalized to all urban and rural parks, the results may be used to inform advocacy for park development in rural areas to create parks that are more supportive of physical activity for children and adults.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. jenny.veitch@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veitch
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.forename: Kylie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Timperio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D004779:Environment Design; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011633:Public Facilities; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety; D012939:Social Planning; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014506:Urban Renewal / Q000592:standards