Promoting physical activity participation within green and blue spaces in a COVID-19 era.

This research will investigate the effect that a new formalised walking and running route within a public park has on the local community’s physical activity participation and self-rated health and wellbeing. The role of the built and natural environment to improve population health and wellbeing has had an increased policy focus in recent years (Sport England, 2019; MHC&LG, 2019; Public Health England, 2016). The findings from this research will identify whether a retro-fit built environment intervention has merit to be scaled-up across the county’s public parks to improve visitation, physical activity participation, and health and wellbeing. Northamptonshire Public Health have already identified the potential benefits that this research could bring to their policy, strategies, and investment decisions.