Table 1.

Illustrative results from Phase 1: Community Assessment process regarding individual and contextual level barriers/challenges and facilitating factors for physical activity environments.

Physical Activity Environments and Health	Barriers/Challenges	Facilitating Factors
Individual/ Proximate	Safety concerns about being active outside alone1 Lack of awareness of community physical activity programs1 Lack of awareness of the new greenways1	Walking clubs or other group activities that provide structure, safety & support for physical activity1 Social support associated with greater physical activity4 Dissemination of information at stores, churches, schools, and other community venues1 Information available in multiple languages1
Social Context/ Intermediate	Risk of crime1 Illegal activities in public parks1 Concerns about strangers & safety of children1 Concerns about border control, particularly in neighborhoods with higher numbers of 1st or 2nd generation immigrants1	Events that promote community ownership & presence in public outdoor spaces, e.g., organized activities, entertainment in parks, opportunities for youth to decorate the greenways, community gardens in parks, neighborhood clean-up programs1 Outdoor spaces with recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages1 Activities that are fun, with opportunities for social interaction1
Physical Context/ Intermediate	Long distance to recreational spaces (e.g. YMCA)1,2 Neighborhood safety, e.g. poor lighting, loose dogs, heavy car traffic1,4 Obstructed visibility, e,g, path not visible by others, or unable to see surroundings due to, for example, heavy shrubbery3 Heavy traffic3,4 Cold weather during the winter months1 Lack of accessible and affordable recreational facilities and equipment, e.g. youth play basketball in the street1,2 Unsafe and uninviting spaces for being active, e.g. deteriorated sidewalks, trash, unsafe or damaged equipment1,2	Transportation to recreational spaces1 Trails and parks that are easy to get to1 Safety from crime, e.g. improved lighting, citizens’ patrols, increased police presence1 Traffic calming measures, e.g., curb bumps3 Pathways visible from street, plantings maintained to reduce visual isolation3 Increased access to indoor spaces for physical activity1,2 Neighborhood clean-up programs involving youth to maintain parks and recreation sites2 Well-maintained spaces for physical activity, e.g. clean sidewalks and parks, safe equipment1 Visually appealing, well lit outdoor spaces, trees, gardens, water fountains, benches, and produce stands1,3

¹Focus Groups with Community Residents

²Youth Photovoice Project

³Analysis of built environment along Greenways

⁴Torres et al., 2007