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Description
Spending time outdoors benefits youth in several ways. Outdoor access provides youth with opportunities to be physically active, to relax and destress, and to spend quality time with friends and family. Being physically active promotes healthy weight, cardiovascular health, reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes quality sleep and improves memory. Although San Diego has vast green and blue spaces throughout the county, not all residents have equitable access to the outdoors, particularly communities South of the Interstate 8 which have fewer park acreage, higher rates of overweight youth, and greater rates of poverty. In the literature, there is a lack of research conducted in under-parked communities to assess barriers to outdoor access, and particularly a lack of research overall that includes youth participants. The thesis aims to investigate; a) How do youth get outside, where do they go, who do they go with? b) What barriers do San Diego youth experience when accessing outdoor spaces? c) What recommendations emerge from the needs assessment data that can inform interventions to promote outdoor access for youth? The needs assessment design implemented multiple data collection methods, including a survey, focus groups, and a photovoice project. The population of interest for this consisted of San Diego youth ages 11-18, residing South of Interstate 8. Youth were recruited to participate from snowball sampling and recruitment from Outdoor Outreach and Barrio Logan College Institute. Prominent themes that emerged from the qualitative and qualitative data sources in terms of outdoor use are, visiting outdoor spaces with family, and visiting spaces to relax, socialize, and exercise. Themes from the qualitative data relating to barriers for outdoor access are, transportation barriers, safety barriers, sanitation and maintenance concerns, freeway overpass concerns, concerns about racism and inclusion, and Covid-19 barriers. Recommendations emerged from the needs assessment for future polices and interventions to improve communities by promoting affordable and efficient public transportation, safe and well-lit parks, and parks that are sanitary and clean of litter. Furthermore, land managers and civic leaders must promote inclusivity and opportunities for youth involvement in policy change.
