Parques públicos de Ouro Preto: um importante recurso de promoção da saúde

Abstract

This study examines public parks of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, covering structure, forms of uses and appropriations, to verify the potential of leisure equipment such as health promotion resource. The research, exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study, we used systematic observation, structured questionnaire and semi structured interview. The parks have adequate infrastructure to develop actions that contribute to population health promotion, especially through physical activities. The uses and forms of space appropriation are many, however, are still resources underutilized by regulars, and public policy, and necessary actions, including intersectoral, to streamline and increase the use, because the frequency is small and linked to weekends and holidays. The study reveals the potential of the parks as an important health promotion resource of the city.