393
Table 17.2 Summary characteristics of greenway and trail interventions
Reference
Study design Population
Intervention
Outcome
Evenson et al.
(2005)
North
Carolina, USA
Quasiexperimental:
pre-post
design
Adults aged
>18 years living
within 2 miles of
the trail
A railway was
converted to a
multi-use trail
Trail
2.8 miles/10 feet
wide with 2 mile
spur of 23 mile trail;
trail passed by 2
schools, shopping
areas, apartment
buildings and
neighbourhoods
−ve: Those who had
never used the trail
had sig. declines in
median time spent in
MVPA, vigorous PA
and bicycling for
transport. Those who
had used the trail
also had sig. declines
in median time spent
in vigorous PA.
Burbidge and
Goulias (2009)
Utah, USA
Quasiexperiment:
longitudinal
design
Individuals
residing near the
new trail
Construction of a
trail (2-way
multi-use trail
separated from
existing roads and
sidewalks) for both
transportation and
recreation. The trail
created a 2.5 mile
loop connecting two
currently existing
sidewalks
−ve: Negative sig.
effect on PA and
walking between
baseline and
follow-up;
18–64 year olds sig.
increased number of
PA episodes between
baseline and
follow-up
(p = 0.024)
Fitzhugh et al.
(2010)
Tennessee,
USA
Quasiexperiment:
controlled,
pre-post
design
Children,
adolescents and
adults in
neighbourhood
Retrofit of an urban
greenway (2.9 miles
long; 8-foot wide) to
enhance connectivity
of pedestrian
infrastructure with
nearby retail
establishments and
schools (cost:
$2.1 m)
+ve: Pre and post
intervention changes
between
experimental and
control
neighbourhoods
were sig. different
for total PA
(p = 0.001); walking
(p = 0.001) and
cycling (p = 0.038).
There was no sig.
change over time for
active transport to
school
West and
Shores (2011)
North
Carolina, USA
Quasiexperiment:
controlled,
pre-post
design
Residents living
within 0.5 mile
radius of
greenway
5 miles of greenway
developed and added
to existing greenway
along a river
−ve: No sig.
difference between
intervention and
control group
(continued)
17 Environmental, Health and Equity Effects of Urban Green Space Interventions
Table 17.2 Summary characteristics of greenway and trail interventions
Reference
Study design Population
Intervention
Outcome
Evenson et al.
(2005)
North
Carolina, USA
Quasiexperimental:
pre-post
design
Adults aged
>18 years living
within 2 miles of
the trail
A railway was
converted to a
multi-use trail
Trail
2.8 miles/10 feet
wide with 2 mile
spur of 23 mile trail;
trail passed by 2
schools, shopping
areas, apartment
buildings and
neighbourhoods
−ve: Those who had
never used the trail
had sig. declines in
median time spent in
MVPA, vigorous PA
and bicycling for
transport. Those who
had used the trail
also had sig. declines
in median time spent
in vigorous PA.
Burbidge and
Goulias (2009)
Utah, USA
Quasiexperiment:
longitudinal
design
Individuals
residing near the
new trail
Construction of a
trail (2-way
multi-use trail
separated from
existing roads and
sidewalks) for both
transportation and
recreation. The trail
created a 2.5 mile
loop connecting two
currently existing
sidewalks
−ve: Negative sig.
effect on PA and
walking between
baseline and
follow-up;
18–64 year olds sig.
increased number of
PA episodes between
baseline and
follow-up
(p = 0.024)
Fitzhugh et al.
(2010)
Tennessee,
USA
Quasiexperiment:
controlled,
pre-post
design
Children,
adolescents and
adults in
neighbourhood
Retrofit of an urban
greenway (2.9 miles
long; 8-foot wide) to
enhance connectivity
of pedestrian
infrastructure with
nearby retail
establishments and
schools (cost:
$2.1 m)
+ve: Pre and post
intervention changes
between
experimental and
control
neighbourhoods
were sig. different
for total PA
(p = 0.001); walking
(p = 0.001) and
cycling (p = 0.038).
There was no sig.
change over time for
active transport to
school
West and
Shores (2011)
North
Carolina, USA
Quasiexperiment:
controlled,
pre-post
design
Residents living
within 0.5 mile
radius of
greenway
5 miles of greenway
developed and added
to existing greenway
along a river
−ve: No sig.
difference between
intervention and
control group
(continued)
17 Environmental, Health and Equity Effects of Urban Green Space Interventions