TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementing Play Streets in Low-Income Rural Communities in the United States
AU - Pollack Porter, Keshia M.
AU - Bridges Hamilton, Christina N.
AU - Umstattd Meyer, M. Renée
N1 - Funding Information:
Christina N. Bridges Hamilton is now a member of the faculty at the State University of New York, College at Brockport. This project was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through the Physical Activity Research Center.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Society for Public Health Education.
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - Play streets involve the temporary closure of streets that for a specified time create a safe place for active play. Play streets have been implemented primarily in cities; it is unknown if they could be adapted and implemented in rural areas. To learn about implementation, core components of play streets and inform adaptation, we conducted systematic peer-reviewed and grey literature searches and interviews with a purposive sample of key informants. Data were analyzed by theme and used to inform implementation of play streets by four community organizations in low-income rural areas of Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas from June to September 2017. Core elements of play streets in urban areas were present in rural settings—the content (e.g., activities offered), delivery of the intervention in partnership with community members and local organizations, and reoccurrence of play streets at a single location. There were three key adaptations relating to delivery and context to consider uniquely when implementing play streets in rural areas (1) using locations other than streets, (2) varying locations to account for geographic dispersion, and (3) maximizing participation and resources by coupling play streets with community events. Play streets can be successfully implemented in rural settings with these modifications, which support feasibility, reach, and access. Play streets in rural areas should include activities for active play that are age-appropriate and fun, without necessarily tailoring content for rural areas.
AB - Play streets involve the temporary closure of streets that for a specified time create a safe place for active play. Play streets have been implemented primarily in cities; it is unknown if they could be adapted and implemented in rural areas. To learn about implementation, core components of play streets and inform adaptation, we conducted systematic peer-reviewed and grey literature searches and interviews with a purposive sample of key informants. Data were analyzed by theme and used to inform implementation of play streets by four community organizations in low-income rural areas of Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas from June to September 2017. Core elements of play streets in urban areas were present in rural settings—the content (e.g., activities offered), delivery of the intervention in partnership with community members and local organizations, and reoccurrence of play streets at a single location. There were three key adaptations relating to delivery and context to consider uniquely when implementing play streets in rural areas (1) using locations other than streets, (2) varying locations to account for geographic dispersion, and (3) maximizing participation and resources by coupling play streets with community events. Play streets can be successfully implemented in rural settings with these modifications, which support feasibility, reach, and access. Play streets in rural areas should include activities for active play that are age-appropriate and fun, without necessarily tailoring content for rural areas.
KW - child/adolescent health
KW - community intervention
KW - physical activity
KW - rural health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85090924577&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1177/1524839920957228
DO - 10.1177/1524839920957228
M3 - Article
C2 - 32917112
AN - SCOPUS:85090924577
SN - 1524-8399
VL - 23
SP - 372
EP - 374
JO - Health promotion practice
JF - Health promotion practice
IS - 3
ER -