Beyond walking: An assessment and description of streets as potential physical activity places in low-income communities

Low-income communities often have fewer quality community-level physical activity places (PAPs) or resources (e.g., parks, playgrounds). When present, barriers like traffic, distance, and crime prevent access. Creative solutions better understanding of current potential realistic PAPs are necessary for children families to be active. Streets rarely considered despite their ubiquity accessibility. This article describes street segments as in low-income Mexican-heritage colonias along the Texas-Mexico border. Promotora-researchers conducted modified PAP assessments describe availability features, amenities, incivilities all (n=867) two regions these did contain features amenities associated with promotion. On average, had 6.10 (SD=7.20) activity-promoting 26.60 (SD=27.30) both were assessed good-to-fair quality. Future programming should consider incorporating streets enhance active play. Further, evaluating this way may provide insight into locations temporary place-based programs such Play Streets. research also examine residents’ perceptions safe play, not just walk, which characteristics matter play occur on streets.