Variation in Park Liveliness and the Factors That Influence It

Jenn Hoskins
7th March, 2025

Variation in Park Liveliness and the Factors That Influence It

Distribution map of vitality in each subspace of the sample parks.

Image adapted from: Zhang et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • In Hangzhou, parks with water features and easy access attracted more visitors and a variety of activities
  • Lawns and courts hosted diverse activities with fewer people, while fitness areas and pavilions had many visitors but fewer activity types
  • Enhancing natural elements and accessibility can make community parks more lively and enjoyable for everyone
Community parks play a crucial role in the lives of urban residents by providing spaces for nature, exercise, and social interaction. A recent study conducted by researchers at Zhejiang Sci-Tech University[1] examined the vitality of different areas within community parks in Hangzhou. This research builds on previous studies that have highlighted the benefits of urban parks in various Chinese cities[2][3][4][5], offering new insights into how specific landscape features influence park usage. The study focused on three typical community parks in Hangzhou, utilizing the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to conduct detailed field surveys. SOPARC is a method that systematically observes and records park usage, providing quantitative data on visitor behavior and activity patterns. The researchers classified park spaces into four types: courts, lawns, fitness grounds, and pavilions. By analyzing 11 landscape variables, they assessed how each space type contributes to the overall vitality of the park. Vitality in this context refers to the liveliness and activity within different park areas, measured through visitor density, activity richness (the variety of activities), activity evenness (the distribution of activities), and time stability (consistency of use over time). The study revealed significant differences in vitality across the four space types. Courts and lawns exhibited high activity richness and evenness with lower visitor density and time stability. In contrast, fitness grounds showed high visitor density and time stability but lower activity richness and evenness. Pavilions were found to have exceptionally high visitor density but low activity richness, evenness, and time stability. These findings align with previous research that underscores the importance of specific park features in attracting different user groups. For instance, a study in Jinan City found that community parks are primarily used by older adults and children, with exercise and socializing being the main activities[2]. Similarly, research in Jiaozuo highlighted how functional mixing and population density influence park vitality[4]. The Hangzhou study adds to this body of knowledge by pinpointing how elements like water features and accessibility specifically impact different types of park spaces. One of the key contributions of the Hangzhou study is the identification of hydrophilicity (the presence of water features) and accessibility as crucial factors affecting park vitality. Water-friendly features were found to positively influence visitor density, activity richness, and time stability across all park subspaces. This supports findings from Beijing, where the presence of water and facility density significantly boosted park vitality[5]. Additionally, the study found that sports facilities increased visitor density and time stability in courts, lawns, and fitness grounds but reduced activity evenness, suggesting that specialized amenities can attract specific user groups while limiting the diversity of activities. Accessibility was shown to enhance activity richness but inhibit activity evenness in pavilions. This indicates that while easy access can increase the variety of activities, it may also lead to a dominance of certain activities over others in specific areas. These insights are valuable for urban planners and park designers aiming to create balanced and vibrant community spaces. The methodology of the Hangzhou study involved using a mixed linear model to explore the relationship between landscape features and spatial vitality. This statistical approach allowed the researchers to identify key influencing factors and understand their specific effects on different park subspaces. By integrating observational data with landscape assessments, the study provided a comprehensive analysis of what makes certain areas within parks more vibrant and engaging than others. Incorporating findings from earlier studies, the Hangzhou research emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to enhance park vitality. For example, the desire for more physical training facilities and activity areas identified in Jinan[2] and the importance of green space perception for health promotion among young residents[3] can be addressed by designing multifunctional and compact facilities that cater to diverse user groups. Additionally, the high vitality observed in areas with strong functional mixing and transportation networks in Jiaozuo[4] suggests that integrating parks seamlessly into the urban fabric can boost their usage and impact. The study concludes with practical recommendations for improving community parks in Hangzhou and similar urban settings. Enhancing natural elements, such as adding water features, can make parks more attractive and supportive of diverse activities. Installing multifunctional facilities can cater to both high-density areas like pavilions and more spacious areas like lawns and courts. Subdividing spatial functions ensures that different areas of the park meet the varied needs of residents, promoting overall park vitality. By understanding the specific factors that influence the vibrancy of different park areas, urban planners and policymakers can make informed decisions to enhance the quality and functionality of community parks. This not only improves the physical and mental well-being of residents but also fosters a sense of community and belonging. The Hangzhou study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing efforts to optimize urban green spaces, building on the foundational work of previous research and offering new pathways for sustainable urban development.

EnvironmentSustainabilityEcology

References

Main Study

1) Spatial vitality variation in community parks and their influencing factors

Published 5th March, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312941

Related Studies

2) Investigating the Usage Patterns of Park Visitors and Their Driving Factors to Improve Urban Community Parks in China: Taking Jinan City as an Example.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315504

3) Impact of Perception of Green Space for Health Promotion on Willingness to Use Parks and Actual Use among Young Urban Residents.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155560

4) Research on the Vitality Evaluation of Parks and Squares in Medium-Sized Chinese Cities from the Perspective of Urban Functional Areas.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215238

5) Vitality of Urban Parks and Its Influencing Factors from the Perspective of Recreational Service Supply, Demand, and Spatial Links.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051615


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