Edited by: Melody Goodman, New York University, United States
Reviewed by: Cassandra Arroyo, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, United States; Aida Mujkić, University of Zagreb, Croatia
This article was submitted to Public Health Education and Promotion, a section of the journal Frontiers in Public Health
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Open Streets events provide opportunities for residents to be active. The current program developed and implemented five smaller scale, Micro Open Streets Events (MOSE) in Dover, DE that provided a range of opportunities for physical activity over a <0.5 miles stretch of closed road. Our objective was to evaluate the capacity of this approach to reach residents and improve knowledge and intention to engage in physical activity once the event was over. We used individual surveys, observational, and neighborhood audit factors to assess MOSE participation and conduciveness to physical activity. Our results showed that MOSE attendance ranged from 40 to 500 adults from a high-risk demographic (i.e., non-Caucasian, middle-age, overweight), who demonstrated a strong liking of the MOSE and increased knowledge of, and intention to engage in physical activity following the event. Our data suggest that where a full-scale Open Streets event is not feasible, a MOSE may be a viable alternative.
Consistent with national rates (
Although there is much evidence to support the positive effects of Open Streets events (
To expand on the evidence-base in support of the Open Street initiatives, a local multi-interest organizing committee was formed to develop, implement, and evaluate five “Micro” Open Streets events between June and December 2018 in the small city of Dover (37,109 residents) (US Census). These events were considered “Micro” because unlike other published accounts of Open Streets events that involved closing ~70 miles of highways for recreation (
The purpose of our MOSE program was to provide healthy lifestyle opportunities to the residents of Dover, DE and to increase their knowledge about, and intention to, participate in healthy lifestyle activities (e.g., physical activity) beyond attending the MOSE. The objective of the current study was to conduct a multi-level evaluation of the MOSE in order to describe the following:
(1) Individual-level characteristics: Attendee demographics, perceptions of the MOSE, physical activity behaviors, perceived neighborhood support for physical activity (e.g., safety, facilities), social connectedness, and health status;
(2) Program-level characteristics: Estimates of event attendance and participation at different event activities (e.g., jump rope);
(3) Neighborhood-level characteristics: Quantify the walkability, conditions, aesthetics, safety, and design of the area surrounding the MOSEs.
The MOSEs were conceptualized by a local “Healthy Neighborhood” council developed out of the state healthcare transformation plan to bring together healthcare systems and multi-sector community partners to improve population health and priority health areas. The MOSEs as an intervention aligned with a Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Plan led by National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research Fund, Inc. (NCALL) and were implemented by a multi-interest organizing committee that included representatives from the city's Parks and Recreation staff, local Universities, the city's Children's Theater, community volunteers, a local college drug and alcohol prevention program, a local health system. The organizing committee was chaired by staff from NCALL through the Restoring Central Dover program. NCALL served as a fiscal agent for the state innovation model funding, which provided the funding for the MOSEs. Funding was also provided by Restoring Central Dover's Community Engagement work group. The MOSE's concept fit naturally with the work that was being accomplished under the Restoring Central Dover endeavor and was an expansion of Play Streets sponsored by the Community Engagement work group. The committee had standing monthly meetings beginning 2 months prior to the first MOSE, and met bimonthly and as-needed thereafter to guide further event offerings. It is important to note that NCALL received the SIM funding in June 2018 and funds had to be spent by January 2019.
One MOSE was held monthly between June and November, 2018 (
Each MOSE offered activities that were intended to provide attendees with opportunities to engage in, and learn about, physical activity and healthy eating. To the greatest extent possible, activities were administered by community-based organizations (for a more extensive list of participating organizations see
A multi-level evaluation design that assessed individual, program, and neighborhood factors related to the MOSEs and the attendees was implemented. Five data collectors completed a 4–6 h training session on data collection procedures prior to the first MOSE. The manual-based training comprised of a didactic review of Open Streets events, a review of data collection tools, and practice simulations of the data collection procedures.
Consistent with previous Open Streets events (
The demographic factors of self-reported age, birth sex (male/female), race (White, non-Hispanic, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, Latino, Multiracial, other), self-reported height and weight [to calculate body mass index (BMI)], and social media use were evaluated. Social media use was assessed using a single item that asked participants to check which social media outlets they used; options were Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Other. Liking of event and intention to attend future a MOSE were also assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = strongly disliked−4 = strongly liked); past MOSE attendance was assessed using a single item soliciting a yes/no response. Current physical activity levels were measured using a 7-day recall survey that asked attendees to report the number of days active, and minutes active on each active day, for the last week. Intentions to participate in physical activity and knowledge about, and use of local recreational facilities because of attending MOSE were also assessed using multiple point and Yes/No responses. Social connectedness was measured using questions adapted from Williams (
At the program level, MOSE check-in sheets were used to estimate event attendance. Event activities and participation were assessed using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). At the start of each MOSE, a data collector surveyed and recorded each activity and categorized according to “type.” Event types could be classified as: physical activity opportunity; food/diet opportunity; physical activity education/information; food/diet education/information. During the last 15 min of each hour, the data collector walked the length of the event and recorded the number of attendees at each activity. The EMA method provides an estimate of event participation.
During the hour prior to each MOSE, a data collector walked all routes (sidewalks and streets) within a 0.25 radius of the MOSE to assess neighborhood-level characteristics associated with walking (
Data from completed source forms were entered into SPSS and quality assurance checks were made on a 10% random selection of data points. Descriptive statistics consisting of Means (M) ± Standard Deviations (SD) for continuous variables, and percentages for categorical variables were generated. Data management and analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software package (IBM Corp. 2015. SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.).
Seventy-eight attendees completed a survey (64.9% response rates). As shown in
Sample characteristics of MOSE attendees.
Male | 24 (31.2) |
Female | 53 (68.8) |
Age [M;SD] | 41.9;12.2 |
White, non-Hispanic | 21 (28) |
Black/African American | 45 (60) |
American Indian/Alaska Native | 0 |
Latino | 3 ( |
Multiracial | 3 ( |
Other | 3 ( |
65 (83.3) | |
12 (15.4) | |
24 (30.8) | |
Snapchat | 10 (12.8) |
YouTube | 29 (37.2) |
9 (11.5) | |
10 (12.8) | |
Tumblr | 1 (1.3) |
Body Mass Index (kg/m2; M;SD) | 28.4;6.3 |
Excellent | 22 (31) |
Very good | 33 (46) |
Fair | 17 (22) |
Poor | 0 |
Days last month physical health not good [M;SD] | 3.7;7.7 |
Days last month mental health not good [M;SD] | 4.3;8.1 |
Days last month poor health hindered activities [M;SD] | 2.7;5.8 |
Almost all attendees surveyed strongly liked the MOSE (82%), 41% attended a previous Open Street event/MOSE, and 80% planned to attend in the future. While at the MOSEs, walking was the most common physical activity reported (
MOSE liking, participation, and intention to attend future Open Streets Events.
Strongly liked | 59 (80.8) |
Somewhat liked | 11 (15.1) |
Neither liked or disliked | 3 (4.1) |
Somewhat disliked | 0 |
Strongly disliked | 0 |
Attended a previous Open Streets Event [ |
29 (41.4) |
Very likely | 58 (80.6) |
Likely | 12 (16.7) |
Neither likely/unlikely | 2 (2.8) |
Unlikely | 0 |
Very unlikely | 0 |
Walking | 55 (70.5) |
Bicycling | 4 (5.1) |
Shopping | 16 (20.5) |
Visited restaurant or pub | 4 (5.1) |
Other activities | 10 (12.8) |
Walking | 26.3;35.7 |
Bicycling | 1.9;9.2 |
Shopping | 4.3;16.3 |
Visited restaurant or pub | 0.59;3.8 |
Walking outside was the most common form of physical activity participated in during the previous 7 days (62%). Few attendees said they cycled or ran/jogged outside during this time period (12% for both). Nearly all respondents intended to be physically active in the next 7 days (88%), and 43% said this was because of attending the MOSE. In terms of neighborhood factors related to being physically active, 55% indicated having local recreation facilities, 49% learned of new local recreation facilities because of attending a MOSE, 64% rated their local recreation facilities as very good to excellent, 48% reported using these facilities often/very often, and 48% stated their use of such facilities would be higher because of attending the MOSE. Most (91%) attendees reported feeling safe in their neighborhood (
Physical activity behavior and environmental factors related to physical activity behavior.
Walked outside in last 7 days | 47 (61.8) |
Biked outside in last 7 days | 9 (11.8) |
Ran/Jogged outside in last 7 days | 9 (11.8) |
Walking outside | 2.7;2.6 |
Biking outside | 0.3;1.1 |
Running/Jogging outside | 0.2;0.6 |
Strongly agree | 52 (68.4) |
Somewhat agree | 15 (19.7) |
Neither agree/disagree | 5 (6.6) |
Somewhat disagree | 1 (1.3) |
Strongly disagree | 3 (3.9) |
Strongly agree | 33 (42.9) |
Somewhat agree | 18 (23.4) |
Neither agree/disagree | 21 (27.3) |
Somewhat disagree | 2 (2.6) |
Strongly disagree | 3 (3.9) |
Have local recreational facilities [ |
56 (73.7) |
Learned about local recreational facilities at this MOSE [ |
37 (49.3) |
Perceived quality of recreational facilities in local area [ |
|
Excellent | 19 (27.5) |
Very good | 26 (37.7) |
Fair | 20 (29.0) |
Poor | 4 (5.8) |
Very often | 17 (23.6) |
Often | 17 (23.6) |
Sometimes | 25 (34.7) |
Never | 13 (18.1) |
Very much | 34 (47.9) |
Somewhat | 31 (43.7) |
Not at all | 6 (8.5) |
Always | 30 (41.1) |
Most of the time | 36 (49.3) |
Sometimes | 7 (9.6) |
Rarely | 0 |
Never | 0 |
Overall, the sample reported a strong sense of community connectedness with 60% having several people in their community they trusted to help solve their problems. Most (80–84%) said that interacting with community members increased their interest in the community, and that such interactions made them want to try new things. Overall, the attendees reported moderate (
Community connectedness reported by MOSE attendees.
Strongly agree | 19 (26.0) |
Somewhat agree | 25 (34.2) |
Neither agree/disagree | 18 (24.7) |
Somewhat disagree | 6 (8.2) |
Strongly disagree | 5 (6.8) |
Strongly agree | 20 (27.4) |
Somewhat agree | 26 (35.6) |
Neither agree/disagree | 17 (23.3) |
Somewhat disagree | 4 (5.5) |
Strongly disagree | 6 (8.2) |
Strongly agree | 32 (43.8) |
Somewhat agree | 26 (35.6) |
Neither agree/disagree | 8 (11.0) |
Somewhat disagree | 3 (4.1) |
Strongly disagree | 4 (5.5) |
Strongly agree | 33 (45.2) |
Somewhat agree | 28 (38.4) |
Neither agree/disagree | 6 (8.2) |
Somewhat disagree | 2 (2.7) |
Strongly disagree | 4 (5.5) |
Total community connectedness scale [0–16; M;SD] | 11.6;3.7 |
Data from the event logs showed that between 50 and 500 adult attendees registered for each MOSE. Event two, that occurred in August and coincided with the distribution of back to school supplies, was the most widely attended (
MOSE activity classifications and number of attendees at each activity.
Physical activity opportunity | Bike rodeo | 0 | 0 | ||
Fun stations (e.g., bean bag toss, net) | 5 | 51 | 10 | ||
Stage (Zumba, jazzercise, boot camp) | 16 | 13 | |||
Jump rope | 9 | ||||
Police—youth football/basketball | 25 | ||||
National Guard—football throw | 22 | ||||
Dover parks and recreation | 24 | ||||
Delaware Department of Transportation | 4 | 29 | |||
Bounce castle | 3 | 15 | |||
Laser tag | 20 | ||||
Kayaking | 20 | ||||
5 K walk/run | 30 | ||||
Food/diet opportunity | Fresh market food stand | 7 | |||
Food truck (free) | 8 | 29 | |||
Food station (free) | 23 | 92 | 10 | ||
Food/diet education | Your Community Garden | 0 | |||
Food Bank of Delaware | 10 | ||||
University Agricultural Education display | 14 | ||||
Physical activity education | None offered | ||||
Other | Delaware Quit Line (smoking cessation) | 6 | |||
Dover Public Library | 14 | ||||
Buffalo Soldiers Motor Club | 16 | ||||
Capital School District | 16 | ||||
Delaware Public Health and Social Services | 23 | ||||
Face painting | |||||
Church community center table |
Most stations offering physical activity opportunities were well-attended. Placement and weather may have impacted activity participation. The bike rodeo was underutilized and this was apparently due to its location off to the side or at the non-entrance/exit end of the event. The bounce house and fun stations were underutilized at event 1, most likely due to the extreme heat (96°F) on the day of that event.
The routes surrounding the MOSEs were local (i.e., residential) with on-street parking and sidewalks on both sides (
Walkability of routes surrounding open streets events.
Street type—local | 40 | 100 | 83 |
2 lanes | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Parking both sides | 80 | 100 | 100 |
Sidewalk both sides | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Car speed 30 mph | 60 | 10 | 17 |
Speed limit signs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pedestrians separated from road | 80 | 90 | 100 |
Crossing signals | 0 | 0 | 33 |
Crosswalks | 80 | 10 | 33 |
Pedestrians easy to see | 100 | 80 | 100 |
Curb extensions | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Street lights | 100 | 89 | 100 |
Mixed land use | 80 | 40 | 67 |
Community facilities | 80 | 20 | 67 |
Bike paths | 40 | 0 | 17 |
Attractiveness of sidewalks | |||
Poor | 0 | 20 | 17 |
Medium | 20 | 60 | 33 |
Good | 80 | 20 | 50 |
Trees | 100 | 40 | 100 |
Attractive buildings | 100 | 0 | 17 |
Trash cans | 60 | 0 | 17 |
Route is inviting for all | 100 | 40 | 83 |
Through the current program, we assessed the attendance and attendee characteristics of five MOSEs in Dover, Delaware. We also examined the knowledge about physical activity opportunities, and intention to engage in these activities because of attending a MOSE. Given that Open Streets events in the past have utilized up to 70 miles of closed road-way (
Some of the main findings from this evaluation were the capacity to deliver a range of activities that reached up to 500 local residents, who could be characterized as a priority population. Specifically, attendees were middle-aged, non-Caucasian, overweight, and mostly inactive. Moreover, almost one quarter reported that their health was fair or poor. These characteristics are demonstrated risk factors for poor health outcomes (
Another key finding of this evaluation was the high degree of “liking” espoused by 82% of survey respondents, and the strong likelihood of attending another. Importantly, respondents reported being active for ~36 min while at the event, and that attending the event increased their knowledge about venues for activity in their community and intention to be more active. While sustaining a regular physical activity habit is the long-term goal for any physical activity program, identifying “windows of opportunity” through which high-risk individuals can be “exposed” to healthy lifestyle options and encouraged to initiate regular healthy habits, is an important community health initiative. These data suggest that the MOSEs described in this study may be such a conduit, especially for physical activity.
Critical to sustaining physical activity are having social and environmental supports (
This cross-sectional study relies on self-reported data from a sub-set of MOSE attendees. A comparison between attendees who completed the survey vs. those that did not was not possible, thus there is the possibility that our findings are influenced by a response bias. Future evaluations on MOSEs should examine participation in healthy lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity following the event, and conduct a multivariable examination of demographic, health status, and neighborhood factors that may affect the likelihood of engaging in such behaviors following a MOSE. Also important would be to consider how to further build on the community connections between MOSE activities and established community resources for healthy lifestyle behaviors so that there can be greater continuity from the single (or even repeated) MOSE, with the established community resources.
In conclusion, this study provides a positive signal for a MOSE as an alternative when a full-scale Open Streets event is not feasible. Continued efforts in this area, as described above, have the potential to advance community-based approaches to encouraging high-risk populations to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Insufficient physical activity remains a public health priority. Open streets events provide opportunities for residents to be active.
Micro Open Streets Events that cover <0.5 miles are effective in delivering a range of healthy lifestyle behaviors to at-risk populations. Attendees to the MOSEs engage in physical activity, learned about community venues to be active, and reported high levels of intentions to be physically active due to attending the MOSE.
Where a full-scale Open Streets event is not feasible, a MOSE may be an efficacious alternative.
The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author.
The program was approved by the University of Delaware Institutional Review Board (#1239506). Given the observational nature of the study, and that non-identifiable information was collected as part of the evaluation, participant informed consent was not collected.
RS and EP led data collection. FP and RS conducted the analysis, drafted, and completed the final version of the manuscript. RS, EP, FP, CJ-S, ND, KS, and RL conceptualized the program, reviewed, revised, and approved the manuscript.
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The authors gratefully acknowledge Abigail Heath, Andrew Castillant, and Edward Williams for their assistance with data collection.
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: