The purpose was to examine 9 adult activity settings in 25 community parks to determine the most and least frequently used by gender, physical-activity (PA) intensity, and ethnicity.
There is limited research examining both use and non-use of trails for physical activity.
Such research might enable health educators to better promote physical activity on trails.
We used random digit dialing methods to survey 726 respondents in 2012.
The majority (75.1%) of respondents reported not using the trail in the previous 6 months. The odds of using the trail were greater among adults compared to older adults and those with a high school degree or college degree compared to those with less than a high school degree. Fifteen percent of trail users reported using the trail regularly (i.e., at least 30 minutes, 3 days/week). Trail characteristics preferred by trail users and reasons for not using the trail among nonusers were also examined.
These findings might be useful for health educators promoting physical activity on trails.
Persons promoting physical activity on trails should highlight those trail characteristics preferred by trail users, including the trails’ convenient location, beauty, and design. There is an opportunity to promote trail use among older adults and those with low education levels; promoting active transportation on trails might be especially useful among those with low education levels.
Published April 2014
posted Aug 23, 2023
What would it take for all Americans to be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes be on trails that wind through their cities, towns or villages and bring them back without retracing steps?
Why Trails Matter: Resilience to Wildfire
posted Aug 9, 2023
Trails connect suburban and rural communities to wild places, and they can play an important role in landscape resilience, as wildfire becomes more frequent in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) where homes are increasingly being built.
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is Making a Difference Across America
posted May 10, 2022
Use this interactive map to find where, when, and how these funds are being used.
posted Apr 11, 2022
Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.
