eCPAT: Advancing public park information and technology resources to diverse audiences
for healthy communities
This project aims to promote community awareness, visitation, and active use of local
park resources in Richmond County in an effort to promote physical activity behavior and
improve health outcomes. Although community parks provide numerous psychological,
physiological, social, economic, and environmental benefits, they are frequently underutilized.
Data for parks (n=56) in Richmond County were collected using the electronic Community
Park Audit Tool. Observational data collected included information about park features,
amenities, quality, and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as photos and geographic
data for mapping park resources. In collaboration with the computer science faculty
at Georgia Southern University we created an interactive website based on a consumer
model to allow diverse stakeholders to identify, map, and explore community park resources
that meet their needs and promote park use. Findings presented included park summary
information and key website functionality (e.g., searchable databases, interactive
mapping), which capitalize on the benefits of electronic data collection to support
individual, organizational, and community decision-making in regards to public and
community health. Given the proliferation of electronic devices among both adolescents
and adults, this website has potential to be used widely for a variety of civic engagement
and health promotion purposes. Future public health practice or research efforts could
incorporate an eCPAT-based website into Park Prescription initiatives to improve community
awareness of park features and attributes in an effort to increase park-based PA and
improve overall community health.
The paper CPAT tool and guidebook can be accessed from our Community and Research Tools page.
eCPAT System including mobile app, central database, and user specific web interfaces
Representing #3 of the eCPAT System above: Pilot eCPAT public web interface based
on a consumer-driven model
Dr. Besenyi presents on the eCPAT app at Active Living Research 2016
David Gallerani, MPH, presents on using eCPAT with youth at Active Living Research
2016
Dr. Besenyi presents on the eCPAT System at the 2016 National Symposium for Parks
and Recreation in Public Health
Check out Gina's poster presentation here!
Research assistant Heather Yates presents on the eCPAT public web interface at the
2016 State of Public Health Conference at UGA
Check out Heather's poster presentation of here!
Related Publications (*advisee)
Besenyi, G.M., Schooley, B.L., Turner-McGrievy, G., Wilcox, S., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Kaczynski,
A.T. (under review). The electronic community Park Audit Tool (eCPAT) Project: Exploring
the use of mobile technology for youth empowerment and advocacy for healthy community
policy, systems, and environmental change
Besenyi, G.M., Diehl, P., Schooley, B., Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Wilcox, S., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A.,
Kaczynski, A.T. (2016). Development and testing of mobile technology for community
engagement in park improvements: Validity and reliability of the eCPAT application
with youth. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 1-14.
Gallerani, D.G.*, Besenyi, G.M., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Kaczynski, A.T. (2016). We actually care and we want to make
the parks better”: A qualitative study of youth experiences and perceptions after
conducting park audits. Manuscript accepted for publication in Preventive Medicine, Epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.08.043
Kaczynski, A.T., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Besenyi, G.M. (2012). Development and testing of a community stakeholder park audit tool.American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(3), 242-249.
Related Presentations (*advisee)
Yates, H.*, Besenyi, G.M., Li, L., Franklin, J. (2016). eCPAT: Advancing public park information and technology
resources to diverse audiences for healthy communities. Presentation at the 5th Annual State of Public Health Conference, October 18, 2016, Athens, GA.
Besenyi, G.M., Diehl, P., Schooley, B.L., Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Wilcox, S., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A.,
Kaczynski, A.T. (2016). Development and testing of mobile technology for community
park improvements: Validity and reliability of the eCPAT application with youth. Oral
presentation at the 13th Annual Active Living Research Conference, January 31 – February 3, 2016, Clearwater Beach, FL.
Gallerani, D.G.*, Besenyi, G.M., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Kaczynski, A.T. (2016). “We actually care and we want to make
the parks better”: Youth experiences, changes, and perceptions as community advocates.
Oral presentation at the 13th Annual Active Living Research Conference, January 31 – February 3, 2016, Clearwater Beach, FL.
Besenyi, G.M., Kaczynski, A.T., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Smith, T. (2015). Using technology for
community-based active living advocacy and environmental change: The Community Park
Audit Tool App (eCPAT). Invited workshop at the 12th Annual Active Living Research Conference, February 22-25, 2015, San Diego, CA.
Kaczynski, A.T., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Besenyi, G.M., Souza, D. (2015). The Electronic Community Park Audit Tool (eCPAT): Developing technology
to promote physical activity and health through parks. Workshop presented at the National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, September 15-17, 2015, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kaczynski, A.T., Wilhelm Stanis, S., & Besenyi, G.M. (2011). Development and testing of a community stakeholder park audit tool. Plenary
presentation at the Active Living Research Eighth Annual Conference, February 22-24, 2011, San Diego, CA.