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. 2019 Jun 29;16(13):2313. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16132313

Table 4.

Barriers discouraging time spent in nature.

Barriers Specific Concerns
Safety concerns

  • Fear of being robbed;

  • General feelings of not being safe;

  • Lack of police presence;

  • People drinking alcohol;

  • People using illegal drugs;

  • Prostitution;

  • Trash posing health risks (e.g., drug paraphernalia such as syringes);

  • Violence and crime in the community (e.g., rapes, stabbings, and shootings);

  • Unrestrained dogs.
Dislike of things associated with nature environments

  • Bugs;

  • Grass;

  • Pollution;

  • Risk of sunburn;

  • Wild animals.
Financial hardship

  • Lack of access and funds to travel to desirable outdoor spaces.
Medical conditions affecting physical function

  • Flair up of chronic conditions;

  • Not feeling well.
Outdoor conditions

  • Bad weather;

  • Conditions created negative health experiences (e.g., allergies, asthma).
Physical conditions of spaces

  • Lack of seating;

  • Presence of trash (e.g., dumping of household items like mattresses);

  • Poor condition/not cared for park area.