By listening to communities and identifying common, real-life challenges across recreation and green spaces of different socioeconomic status, we are identifying common goals that inform the design of our behavioral interventions. See examples of this work below:
There is no single solution to increasing physical activity, this symposium provided an overview of our multi-sectoral, multi-level approach that incorporate innovative, evidence-based strategies to promote improve physical and mental health, as well as social connection across all populations in Los Angeles, for a sustained impact through the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics and beyond. To achieve this, we have assembled transdisciplinary team comprised of government and key stakeholders across multiple sectors including health, sports, arts & design, civil society, academia and the private sector. Topics included 1) Restoring and enhancing public spaces where all people have easy access to clean, safe, and sustainable spaces: A landscape analysis of recreation and parks with a focus on cultural inclusivity Michael Shull, Recreation and Parks; 2) How art and design impact health and society, with a focus on physical activity Krystina Castella, Art Center College of Design; 3) Harnessing technology to monitor and promote physical activity among diverse communities Gillian Gresham, Cancer Research Center for Health Equity; 4) Starting small, learning what works, and building from there: An iterative behavior change approach Olga L Sarmiento, Universidad De Los Andes.
There is no single solution to increasing physical activity, this symposium provided an overview of our multi-sectoral, multi-level approach that incorporate innovative, evidence-based strategies to promote improve physical and mental health, as well as social connection across all populations in Los Angeles, for a sustained impact through the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics and beyond. To achieve this, we have assembled transdisciplinary team comprised of government and key stakeholders across multiple sectors including health, sports, arts & design, civil society, academia and the private sector. Topics included 1) Restoring and enhancing public spaces where all people have easy access to clean, safe, and sustainable spaces: A landscape analysis of recreation and parks with a focus on cultural inclusivity Michael Shull, Recreation and Parks; 2) How art and design impact health and society, with a focus on physical activity Krystina Castella, Art Center College of Design; 3) Harnessing technology to monitor and promote physical activity among diverse communities Gillian Gresham, Cancer Research Center for Health Equity; 4) Starting small, learning what works, and building from there: An iterative behavior change approach Olga L Sarmiento, Universidad De Los Andes.
The launch of PlayLA is a huge accomplishment for L.A. Parks and for the scores of city youth who will become members of the best, all inclusive multi-sports program to equip them for a lifetime of activity, connection, and positive experiences,” Mike Shull, general manager of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department. Through the PlayLA program, youth of all abilities will have the opportunity to access to quality sports available from their local neighborhood recreation center and join the Olympic movement. Youth sports clinics range from Swimming to Baseball to Football, and adaptive youth sports clinics will include swimming, skateboarding, and more! PlayLA welcomes all youth for only $10 per registration to eliminate economic barriers and promote recreation that is inclusive of all communities in Los Angeles.
The Girls Play Los Angeles (GPLA) program is focused on girls’ sports throughout the Department's under-served communities. The program strives to get and keep girls involved in sports and living a healthy lifestyle, while making friends, building self-esteem and having fun. It has been demonstrated, that in many underserved communities, barriers to participation exist based on a belief that there are specific family gender roles or that income should be prioritized on male family members first. The GPLA program is subsidized so that all girls can participate, regardless of economic inequalities or cultural barriers.
Start them early. It's important for girls to become involved in sports at an early age. A University of Virginia study showed that if a girls does not participate in sports by the age of 10, there is only a 10% chance that she will be physically active when she is 25. But how do you get her interested in sports and keep them interested?
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