Evaluating the Quality of Pensacola City Parks Using the Public Space Index and GIS

• In Event: Using Multiple Methods to Examine Fear of Crime, Safety, and Perceptions of Quality in Parks

Abstract

We evaluate the quality of 60 city parks in West Florida, using the Public Space Index developed by Vikas Mehta (2013). This index combines the following five dimensions of public space: inclusiveness, safety, comfort, pleasurability, and meaningful activities. It uses 40 variables including both observational and perceptual measures to score public spaces on a 150-point scale. Scores are converted to percentages for ease of interpretation. While the index has been used to evaluate mixed-use neighborhood parks, it has not been used to systematically evaluate suburban parks. We explore the potential utility of this index for less urban areas and add data visualization through GIS for citywide comparisons. We also use a separate observational instrument to capture physical and social disorder at these community parks. GIS permits us to add layers over index scores to probe potentially significant relationships between community demographics and park quality as well as signs of social disorganization and park quality. Results and future research will also be discussed.

Authors

• Jocelyn Evans, University of West Florida

• John D. Morgan, University of West Florida

• Jamie A. Snyder, University of West Florida

• Sara Z. Evans, University of West Florida

• Frances P. Abderhalden, University of West Florida