Abstract:
Physical activity is a main component of preventing and
controlling chronic diseases associated with sedentary
lifestyles. When built environments are developed to prioritize
vehicle transportation, coupled with increased mechanization
of everyday activities, sedentary lifestyles and associated
chronic diseases become more prevalent. This project builds
a case for the implementation of linear parks as a prescriptive
element to provide increased active recreation opportunities
in small communities that are affected by inactivity-related
chronic diseases. Small communities are affected by this issue,
but can be limited in funding and planning resources.
This project defines linear parks and provides a linear park
typology accompanied by conceptual park designs for
adaptation into other communities. A two-part linear park siting
method, consisting of a GIS-based landscape search analysis
and small-scale suitability analysis, is outlined and applied
to the small community of Roseburg, Oregon as an example
study area on which to test the method and applicability of
linear park types. The results of the method are mapped and
discussed to provide guidance to future small communities that
want to increase active recreation opportunities.