Table 1 Demographic characteristics of participants (n = 252)
Age, mean years [SD] | 10.2 [1.4] |
Sex, Male, n(%) | 105 (41.7) |
Dog owner, n(%) | 85 (33.7) |
School year level n(%) | |
Year 3 | 85 (34.1) |
Year 4 | 38 (15.3) |
Year 5 | 28 (11.2) |
Year 6 | 98 (39.4) |
Usual frequency of park visit, n(%) | |
≥ once per week | 139 (55.4) |
2 -3 times per month | 53 (21.1) |
≤ once per month | 41 (16.3) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.2) |
Usual duration of park visit, n(%) | |
< 30 mins | 19 (7.6) |
30 min to 1 h | 96 (38.4) |
> 1 to < 2 h | 62 (24.8) |
2 or more hours | 55 (22.0) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.2) |
Usual activity levels during park visit, n(%) | |
Mostly sitting | 8 (3.2) |
Mostly light activities | 22 (8.9) |
Mostly moderate activities | 127 (51.2) |
Mostly vigorous activities | 73 (29.4) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.3) |
Usual accompaniment to the park, n(%)a | |
No one (without dog) | 45 (17.9) |
Parent | 166 (65.9) |
Other adult | 64 (25.4) |
Sibling(s) | 146 (57.9) |
Friend(s) | 146 (57.9) |
Organised Group | 47 (18.7) |
Dog(s) | 58 (23.0) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.1) |
Usual activities performed, n(%)a | |
Walk | 80 (31.7) |
Walk the dog | 63 (25.0) |
Jog | 83 (32.9) |
Ride bike/scooter/skateboard | 129 (51.2) |
Ball games | 123 (48.8) |
Play on playground | 161 (63.9) |
Picnic/BBQ | 76 (30.2) |
Watch sport | 35 (13.9) |
Major event | 52 (20.6) |
Hung out with family | 127 (50.4) |
Hung out with friends | 154 (61.1) |
Relaxed | 95 (37.7) |
Café | 37 (14.7) |
Geocaching/outdoor treasure hunt | 12 (4.8) |
Virtual reality games | 17 (6.7) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.1) |
Usual mode of transport to park visited most often, n(%)a | |
Walk | 181 (71.8) |
Jog | 62 (24.6) |
Cycle | 105 (41.7) |
Public Transport | 8 (3.2) |
Car | 127 (50.4) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.1) |
Frequency of talking to people in park never met previously, n(%) | |
Never/rarely | 137 (54.4) |
Sometimes | 59 (23.4) |
Most of the time/always | 38 (15.1) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.1) |
Frequency of talking to people in park that they already knew, n(%) | |
Never/rarely | 120 (47.6) |
Sometimes | 77 (30.6) |
Most of the time/always | 37 (14.7) |
Haven’t visited a park in the past 3 months | 18 (7.1) |
Number of days of ≥60 mins physical activity per day in usual week, n(%) | |
< 7 days/week | 186 (74.7) |
7 days/week | 63 (25.3) |