PUBLIC OPEN SPACE CHECKLIST February 2014 Version 1.2
HEALTHY ACTIVE BY DESIGN PUBLIC OPEN SPACE CHECKLIST Strategies for creating public open space in your developments The following checklist has been prepared as a tool to provide public open space developments that encourage and support physical activity and health outcomes including healthy eating. The greater the number of checklist items provided within a project area or area influenced by the project the more likely there will be healthy outcomes. The best outcomes will come from working collaboratively with government agencies, land developers and the community as each stakeholder group has an important role to play in the delivery of healthy communities. The checklist items should be considered to fulfill the objectives of the strategies listed under each design feature. Note: All distances and catchments refer to measurements using actual distances (service areas along the street network) rather than linear calculations (as the crow-flies). of evidence base: The HABD design strategies are rated according to the strength of the supporting research evidence. It distinguishes between strategies based on theory and existing practice and those grounded in evidence-based research on the relationship between the built environment and physical activity. Strategies with strong underlying research / evidence base are known to likely increase physical activity. Recommendations supported by emerging evidence or best practice may be just as effective as measures grounded in strong evidence, but have not yet been researched or quantified to the same degree. An icon system is used to assist the user in identifying the strength of evidence underlying each strategy. *** Strong Evidence Indicates strategies supported by a pattern of evidence from cross-sectional studies and review level evidence. The strength of the research allows us to conclude there is a strong relationship between the suggested environmental intervention and the behavioural outcome. ** Emerging Evidence Indicates design strategies supported by an emerging pattern of research. Existing studies have given reason to believe that the suggested environmental intervention will likely lead to increased physical activity, but the research is not yet definitive. (Perhaps no longitudinal studies and/or review level data). * Suggested Practices Indicates design strategies without a formal evidence base. However, theory, common understandings of behaviour and experience from existing practice indicate that these measures will likely increase physical activity. 1
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES Objective Provide a range of public open spaces of appropriate quality and quantity in appropriate locations to contribute towards the recreational, physical activity and social needs of all members of the community. Strategy Evidence Checklist statement Yes No N/A Access to Public Open Space 1 *** Ensure that parks or areas of public open space are provided within close proximity and connect with safe walking and cycling routes. 1A Are most residential dwellings (i.e. 60%) within a 400-800m walk of a public open space? 1B Have the pedestrian and cycling networks been designed to optimise access to public open space? 1C Can public open spaces located on busy road be accessed via pedestrian crossings leading to or near park entrances? 1D Are the public open spaces accessible for people with disabilities and limited mobility? Location of Public Open Space 2 * Locate parks and public open spaces close to compatible facilities such as schools, town centres and community buildings to maximise joint use opportunities (e.g. shared community use of school grounds sports fields). 2
Strategy Evidence Checklist Statement Yes No N/A 2A Where appropriate, has a community purpose site been co-located with the public open space? 2B Are schools located in conjunction with district open space to enable joint use and maintenance of public open spaces and playing fields? Public Open Space Functions 3 *** To provide a range of public open space types and sizes with facilities that cater for both active and passive recreational needs and a diverse range of activities and uses of different community user groups as well as enhancing local amenity and aesthetics. 3A Has a needs analysis been undertaken and incorporated to consider the function/s, location and appropriate design aspects of the public open space to balance different user groups, cultural groups, natural landscape and features, quality requirements and utility requirements? 3B Do facilities within the public open space cater for a diverse range of active and passive recreational activities and uses? 3C Is the public open space designed as a multi-purpose space with a view to accommodate all potential visitors and cater for the needs of children, adolescents, adults and seniors of all abilities? 3E Are neighbourhood public open spaces provided within a maximum 400m walk from most dwellings? 3F Are district public open spaces provided, within a 600m - 1km walk from most dwellings? 3G Does each neighbourhood have access to a district open space which caters for organised sport, community meeting spaces and informal play? 3H Are the district public open spaces of sufficient land area and dimensions to incorporate grassed areas for informal games, organised sport, hard surfaces for games such as netball and basketball, and natural and humanmade differences in elevation (which may also perform a drainage function)? 3I Are regional public open spaces large enough to accommodate a variety of concurrent uses? 3J Has a needs assessment been undertaken to determine whether regional space is required to meet sport and recreation needs? 3
Strategy Evidence Statement Checklist Yes No N/A 3K Has consideration been given to the required function/s of each site and the necessary supporting infrastructure planned for? For example a formal sporting site will require toilets and change-rooms. 3L Are aesthetic features such as trees and bushes, gardens, grass (i.e. irrigated lawns), water sensitive and native flora, natural settings present and appropriately integrated in to the public open space? 3M Are footpaths, wooded areas and constructed and natural trails provided to encourage walking within the public open space? 3N Are children s play spaces, including natural areas / play spaces, provided to encourage active recreation opportunities for children? 3O Are sports surfaces and infrastructure (e.g. basketball or tennis courts) provided to encourage physical activity or exercise within the public open spaces? 3P Is outdoor exercise equipment provided along walking routes to encourage more vigorous physical activity? 4 ** Establish community gardens or farms for local food production within parks or areas of public open space. 4A Have spaces been utilised to enable neighbourhoods to have access to community gardens or farms? Public Open Space Amenities and Facilities 5 *** Provide facilities and amenities for the comfort and convenience of users. 5A 5B 5C 5D Are amenities such as toilets, picnic tables, BBQs, seating and water fountains provided and available for public use within the public open space? Are secure end of trip bicycle parking facilities provided within the public open space? Is (natural or structured) shelter for shade and protection from the weather provided at playgrounds and locations of open space facilities (e.g. BBQ s, seating areas)? Are strategies in place for the ongoing maintenance of the open space once established? For example cleaning, removal of graffiti, rubbish collection and up grading facilities. 4
Strategy Evidence Statement Checklist Yes No N/A Public Open Space Safety 6 *** Design public open space to facilitate natural surveillance to promote safety of users. 6A Have Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles been incorporated into the design of the public open space to provide amenity and engender feelings of safety? 6B Is the perimeter of the public open space overlooked by nearby buildings to encourage passive surveillance? 6C Is the perimeter of the public open space surrounded by streets to facilitate natural surveillance by passers-by? 6D Is the perimeter of the public open space permeable (i.e., avoid solid fencing or walls along the perimeters) with multiple entry and exit points provided? Water Management 7 * Integrate urban water management functions with public open space. 7A Have urban water management functions been integrated into areas without compromising public open space function? 8 * Protect and conserve margins of watercourses, water bodies and wetlands and establish public foreshores along the coast and watercourses adjacent to urban development. 8A Has community access been provided to watercourses, water bodies, wetlands established public foreshores along the coast and watercourses adjacent to urban development? For example via boardwalks, linear public open space and path networks. 8B Do spaces set aside for conservation / protection of the natural environment incorporate managed community access? 5