Environmental Assessment of Public Recreation Spaces (EAPRS) Parks and Trails

EAPRS Citations

Saelens, B.E., Frank, L.D., Auffrey, C., Whitaker, R.C., Burdette, H.L., & Colabianchi, N. (2006). Measuring physical environments of parks and playgrounds: EAPRS instrument development and inter-rater reliability. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 3, Suppl 1, S190-S207.

Background:

Reliable and comprehensive measurement of physical activity settings is needed to examine environment-behavior relations. Methods:Surveyed park professionals (n= 34) and users (n= 29) identified park and playground elements (e.g., trail) and qualities (e.g., condition). Responses guided observational instrument development for environmental assessment of public recreation spaces (EAPRS). Item inter-rater reliability was evaluated following observations in 92 parks and playgrounds. Instrument revision and further reliability testing were conducted with observations in 21 parks and 20 playgrounds.

Results:

EAPRS evaluates trail/path, specific use (e.g., picnic), water-related, amenity (e.g., benches), and play elements, and their qualities. Most EAPRS items had good-excellent reliability, particularly presence/number items. Reliability improved from the original (n= 1088 items) to revised (n= 646 items) instrument for condition, coverage/shade, and openness/visibility items. Reliability was especially good for play features, but cleanliness items were generally unreliable.

Conclusions:

The EAPRS instrument provides comprehensive assessment of parks’ and playgrounds’ physical environment, with generally high reliability.