Creating Safe Places to Play

Last updated on Dec 11, 2023

This project evaluated 16 Play Streets organized by 4 culturally diverse communities. Funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Physical Activity Research Center.

Responsibilities:

  • Systematic Observation of Physical Activity and Recreation in Communities

  • Data Analysis

  • Manuscript Preparation

  • Survey and Pedometer Data Collection

  • Community Report Development

Youth PA
Tyler Prochnow
Tyler Prochnow
Assistant Professor of Health Behavior

My research interests include social network analysis and health behavior.

Publications

The effects of Play Streets on social and community connectedness in rural communities
Promoting physical activity (PA) is a long-standing public health initiative to improve overall health and wellbeing. Innovative …
Umstattd Meyer, MR, Prochnow, T, Perry, CK, Bridges Hamilton, CN, Abildso, C, Pollack Porter, KM
PDF Project
Real-Time Video Scan Method for Community Partner Use to Inform Play Streets Implementation
System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) can provide accurate assessment of physical activity; however, the …
Prochnow, T, Umstattd Meyer, MR, Bridges Hamilton, CN, Pollack Porter, KM
PDF Project
Real-Time Video Scan Method for Community Partner Use to Inform Play Streets Implementation
Differences in child physical activity levels at rural Play Streets due to activity type and sex
Children are significantly less active during summer months and rural children may face unique barriers to engaging in physical …
Prochnow, T, Umstattd Meyer, MR, Bridges, CN, Pollack Porter, KM
PDF Project
Come together, play, be active: Physical activity engagement of school-age children at Play Streets in four diverse rural communities in the US
Across the U.S., Play Streets — temporary street closures creating safe places for play for a few hours— are being implemented in urban …
Umstattd Meyer, MR, Bridges, CN, Prochnow, T, Arnold, KT, McClendon, ME, Williams, TD, Abildso, C, Pollack Porter, KM
PDF Project
Assessing physical activity in temporary spaces: Application of SOPARC / iSOPARC® for Play Streets
Purpose: The System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) is a valid, reliable method for understanding how people …
Umstattd Meyer, MR, Prochnow, T, Bridges, CN, Carlton, T, Wilkins, E, Arnold, K, McClendon, M, McKenzie, T, Pollack Porter, KM
PDF Project
Assessing physical activity in temporary spaces: Application of SOPARC / iSOPARC® for Play Streets
Examining the implementation of Play Streets: A systematic review of the grey literature
CONTEXT: Outdoor play has been described as essential for healthy childhood development. Lack of safety is one barrier to children …
Bridges, CN, Prochnow, T, Wilkins, E, Pollack Porter, KM, Umstattd Meyer, MR
PDF Project

Events

Is three times (at one) the charm? Comparing two SOPARC methodologies for use at Play Streets
Background and Purpose - Understanding how community physical activity (PA) spaces are used is critical for promoting PA. System for …
Feb 17, 2019 Charleston, South Carolina
Prochnow, T, Umstattd Meyer, MR, Bridges, CN, McClendon, ME, Arnold, KT, Wilkins, E, Williams, TD, Carlton, T, Pollack Porter, KM
Project Poster
SOPARC Results for Rural Play Streets
Feb 17, 2019 Charleston, South Carolina
Prochnow, T, Umstattd Meyer, MR, Bridges, CN, McClendon, ME, Arnold, KT, Wilkins, E, Williams, TD, Carlton, T, Pollack Porter, KM
Project Slides