Environmental Health and Safety of Public Parks at the Chaiyaphum Municipality

Abstract

This investigation was conducted as a cross‐sectional descriptive study. The
purpose was to analyze possible environmental hazards and safety within three
public parks at the Chaiyaphum Municipality. A total of 580 individuals were
questioned with in‐depth interviews together with 3 community leaders and
entrepreneurs of 12 parks. For statistical analysis the STATA software version 10
was used. From the participants 50.6% were males and 49.4% were females. About
35.7% were less than 20 years old, and 34.6% were 21 to 30 years old. About 33.6%
had a bachelor degree. About 47.5% were students, 25.7% company staff, 14.3%
government officials, 11.1% entrepreneurs, and 1.4% were working in various
other occupations. The opinion of the participants towards environmental health,
facility, and security in the parks were neither very good nor very bad. This was
voiced by 88.5% of students, 88.0% of governmental officers and 85.0%
entrepreneurs. It was suggested to increase the number of bins, dispose the garbage
daily, and drinking water should be provided for the visitors of the parks. The
facilities should be more spacious, services provided should be free or at least
inexpensive. Playgrounds, football fields, and badminton courts should be available.
Security guards should frequently check sensitive areas and lighting during night
time should be better. The parks should be opened and closed strictly on time in
order to prevent criminals to enter the parks and to avoid disgraceful activities.
Signs should be posted at the risky areas to increase the safety of people. The
condition within public parks and their facilities should be of concern for the
authorities responsible.