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18 | PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES NEEDS ASSESSMENT <br />EMERGING TRENDS <br />Implications <br />The City has not been able to acquire or dedicate <br />enough parkland acreage to keep up with <br />population growth to be able to maintain the <br />desired 3 acres per 1,000 residents standard. The <br />3 acres per 1,000 residents standard is discussed <br />in greater detail in Chapter 5. The City will need <br />to add parkland to catch up and keep pace with <br />population growth. The presence of very-low-, low- <br />and moderate-income households suggests a need <br />for free and low-cost recreation services, as well <br />as services that contribute to health and wellness. <br />Community opinion, discussed in Chapter 4, further <br />indicates a need for aff ordable services and health <br />and wellness programs. <br />Research indicates that cultural and ethnic groups <br />use public spaces diff erently and experience <br />unique barriers to accessing parks and programs. <br />Redwood City can respond to its diverse community <br />through a variety of methods, such as community <br />outreach, hiring practices, park design and <br />recreation programming. For example, the City <br />provides translated school materials as well as <br />translated materials at the Fair Oaks Community <br />Center. To improve accessibility for its non-English <br />speaking and multilingual residents, Redwood City <br />could conduct outreach to spread awareness of <br />the availability of such materials. Cultural diversity <br />further impacts community needs for public <br />events and amenities that refl ect a wider array of <br />cultures and interests. Parks and recreation services <br />provide an opportunity to create public spaces <br />that welcome all of Redwood City’s residents and <br />contribute to a shared sense of community. <br />HEALTH AND WELLNESS <br />Observations <br />States and municipalities are experiencing rising <br />levels of obesity and increasing rates of diabetes <br />and heart disease2. As people become increasingly <br />sedentary, the health care sector is exploring active <br />living as a form of preventative health care to <br />reduce health care costs. Meanwhile, new literature <br />is being established, documenting the relationship <br />between parks and recreation systems and physical <br />activity. <br />Research has connected neighborhood park amenities <br />and programming with an increase in physical activity3. <br />Specifi cally, the following activities and facilities are <br />associated with a signifi cant increase in park use: <br />2 Center for Disease Control. Prevalence of <br />Obesity Among Adults and Youth: United States, <br />2015–2016. October 2017. <br />3 Caryn Ernst, Peter Harnik, and Linda Keenan. <br />Active Parks, Healthy Cities. 2018. <br />• Programming: Each additional supervised <br />activity increased park use by 48% and physical <br />activity by 37%, especially among seniors and <br />teen girls. <br />• Walking loops: Walking loops increase overall usage <br />by 80%, senior activity by 100% and higher levels of <br />exercise by 90%. <br />• Play areas: Every play element added to a <br />playground increases its use by 50%. <br />• Marketing: On-site banners, posters and signs <br />increase use by 62%, including a 63% increase in <br />activity. <br />Implications <br />The City can contribute to the health and wellness <br />of the community through facilities and programs. <br />The City can provide fi tness-oriented facilities <br />such as loop trails throughout the park system. <br />Improving pedestrian and bicycle connections to <br />parks will encourage community members to use <br />7.A. - Page 36 of 66 <br />148