How parks and recreation professionals communicate their health contributions: Insights from the multi-level leisure mechanisms framework

This mixed-methods study uses the Multi-Level Leisure Mechanisms (MLLM) framework to explore how parks and recreation professionals (PRPs) understand and communicate their contributions to health. A survey of 76 PRPs revealed that over 75% see their work as contributing to health outcomes, such as physical activity and mental health. Qualitative interviews with 24 PRPs revealed that while they recognize the health impacts of their work, they often describe these contributions in terms rooted in lived experience or professional practice, rather than using language typically associated with public health or clinical outcomes. The study identified eight key mechanisms within the MLLM, demonstrating alignment of PRP language with could focus on to improve communication by aligning practitioner language with health outcomes. This alignment could increase recognition of parks and recreation as a valuable contributor to public health, increasing visibility and support for health within parks and recreation.