SOPARC: System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities
Tools and Measures

SOPARC: System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities

January 2006
January, 2006
Author:
Thomas L. McKenzie, Ph.D., Deborah A. Cohen, MD, MPH
Topic:
Parks & Recreation, Parks
Population Served:
Unspecified
Location by State:
National
Study Type:
Measures
DOWNLOAD PDF (0.21 MB), DOWNLOAD PDF (0.21 MB), DOWNLOAD PDF (0.21 MB), DOWNLOAD PDF (0.21 MB)
Description:

SOPARC is a validated direct observation tool for assessing park and recreation areas, including park users’ physical activity levels, gender, activity modes/types, and estimated age and ethnicity groupings. It also collects information on park activity area characteristics (e.g., accessibility, usability, supervision, and organization).

A free 27 minute SOPLAY/SOPARC Introduction, Practice, and Assessment Training DVD is available from Active Living Research. Electronic download and hard copy DVD are available.

A few SOPARC observer training videos are also available on YouTube.

The SOPARC online application has been discontinued, but the full-text user guide is still available here.

The SOPARC app is also available for Apple i-Pads. Download for free on the Apple iTunes App Store.

 

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