  Parks are increasingly understood to be key community resources for public
health, particularly for ethnic minority and low socioeconomic groups. At the
same time, research suggests parks are underutilised by these groups. In order
to design effective interventions to promote health, the determinants of park
use for these groups must be understood. This study examines the associations
between park features, park satisfaction and park use in a deprived and
ethnically diverse sample in Bradford, UK. 652 women from the Born in Bradford
cohort completed a survey on park satisfaction and park use. Using a
standardised direct observation tool, 44 parks in the area were audited for
present park features. Features assessed were: access, recreational facilities,
amenities, natural features, significant natural features, non-natural
features, incivilities and usability. Size and proximity to the park were also
calculated. Multilevel linear regressions were performed to understand
associations between park features and (1) park satisfaction and (2) park use.
Interactions between park features, ethnicity and socioeconomic status were
explored, and park satisfaction was tested as a mediator in the relationship
between park features and park use. More amenities and greater usability were
associated with increased park satisfaction, while more incivilities were
negatively related to park satisfaction. Incivilities, access and proximity
were also negatively associated with park use. Ethnicity and socioeconomic
status had no moderating role, and there was no evidence for park satisfaction
as a mediator between park features and park use. Results suggest diverse park
features are associated with park satisfaction and park use, but this did not
vary by ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The reduction of incivilities should
be prioritised where the aim is to encourage park satisfaction and park use.
