eCPAT Technology

 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 5^th 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 13^th 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 13^th 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 12^th 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.