A vibrant urban park versus a serene rural park, symbolizing different approaches to community activity.

Urban vs. Rural Parks: Unlocking the Secrets to Community Activity

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Are city parks truly better for exercise? Delve into our exploration of park usage across different communities and find out!"

Physical activity is a cornerstone of mental and physical well-being, reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. However, a significant disparity exists between the activity levels of rural and urban residents. Rural communities often lag in leisure-time physical activities compared to their urban counterparts, even when factors like race, education, and income are considered. This gap contributes to higher rates of overweight and obesity in rural youth and adults.

Parks are vital resources for promoting physical activity, but their effectiveness can vary greatly depending on their design and accessibility. A growing body of research highlights how the built environment, including park design, can either encourage or discourage physical activity. For parks to truly make a difference, people must choose to visit them and be active while they're there.

Understanding the nuances of park usage in different settings is crucial. Cultural differences, access to amenities, and the strength of social networks all play a role in shaping health behaviors. This study compares park visitation, amenity use, and activity intensity between urban and rural parks, matched for acreage and available amenities, to uncover insights that can help bridge the health disparity gap.

How Do Park Activities Differ Between Rural and Urban Areas?

A vibrant urban park versus a serene rural park, symbolizing different approaches to community activity.

A study conducted in 2014 compared 15 urban parks in Grand Forks, ND, and East Grand Forks, MN, with 15 rural parks in nearby counties. The parks were observed in the morning, afternoon, and evening on four different days. Researchers recorded the number of visitors, their activity levels (sedentary, moderate, or vigorous), and how they used the park amenities.

The results revealed some striking differences:

Visitor Demographics: There were no significant differences in the percentages of male and female visitors or in weekday versus weekend visitors.
Activity Levels: Visitors in rural parks were more likely to be sitting (sedentary), while those in urban parks engaged more often in moderate-intensity activities.
Children and Teens: A higher percentage of children were seen on sports fields in rural parks, whereas more teens were on sports fields in urban parks.
Adults: A greater proportion of adults in urban parks were observed watching sports, while adults in rural parks were more likely to use shelters.

These findings suggest that even when parks offer similar amenities, they are used differently in rural and urban settings, particularly by young people.

Why This Matters: Implications for Community Health

The study underscores the importance of tailoring health initiatives to the specific needs and behaviors of different communities. Simply replicating urban park designs in rural areas may not be effective. To promote physical activity in rural communities, parks should be designed to encourage active use by all age groups, potentially focusing on amenities that appeal to adolescents and adults, and recognizing the role of shelters as community gathering spaces.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/ijerph15081760, Alternate LINK

Title: Youth And Adult Visitation And Physical Activity Intensity At Rural And Urban Parks

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: James Roemmich, Luann Johnson, Grace Oberg, Joley Beeler, Kelsey Ufholz

Published: 2018-08-16

Everything You Need To Know

How do parks promote health?

Parks are essential for encouraging physical activity, and the study's findings highlight how their effectiveness varies based on design and accessibility. To promote healthy lifestyles, the design of spaces must be considered. The study found differences in how residents used amenities, with urban areas displaying more moderate-intensity activities and rural areas showing more sedentary behavior.

What was the study's methodology?

The study compared 15 urban parks located in Grand Forks, ND, and East Grand Forks, MN, with 15 rural parks in nearby counties. These parks were observed in the morning, afternoon, and evening across four different days. Researchers examined factors such as visitor numbers, their activity levels (sedentary, moderate, or vigorous), and how they utilized the park amenities. This comparison was vital to identify variations in park usage.

What were the key findings of the comparison between urban and rural parks?

The results of the study revealed differences in park use between urban and rural settings. Visitors in rural parks were more likely to engage in sedentary activities, while those in urban parks showed higher levels of moderate-intensity activities. Moreover, the study found that a higher proportion of children used sports fields in rural parks, whereas more teens were observed on sports fields in urban parks. Adults in urban parks were more frequently seen watching sports, and in rural parks, adults were more likely to use shelters.

Why is it important to consider the differences in park use?

The study underscores the significance of designing health programs according to the specific needs and behaviors of different communities. Replicating urban park designs in rural areas might not be effective. Parks must be designed to encourage active use by all age groups in rural communities, especially focusing on amenities that appeal to adolescents and adults, and understanding the role of shelters as community gathering spaces. This approach is essential to address health disparities.

Why do the differences in how people use parks matter?

Differences in park usage between urban and rural areas matter due to implications for community health. These differences highlight that simply replicating urban park designs in rural areas might not be effective. Tailoring health initiatives to suit specific needs and behaviors of different communities is crucial. The design of the parks and how they are used can affect the activity levels of the residents, leading to disparities in health outcomes and promoting healthy lifestyles.