Veitch Jenny, Rivera Elise, Loh Venurs, Paudel Chahana, Biggs Nicole, Deforche Benedicte, Timperio Anna
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, 3125 Victoria, Australia.
Health Promot Int. 2025 May 13;40(3). doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaf063.
Urban parks are a critical setting that can support good health by providing opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand which park features are most important for encouraging active park use and social interaction. This study examined the perceived importance of park features for encouraging park visitation, park-based physical activity, and social interaction among adults in Australia. Participants [n = 232, 42.2 years (SD = 13.4), 53% female] rated images of 43 different park features. For each feature, mean scores (SD) were calculated for the overall sample and by gender and frequent/infrequent park visitors for each park-use behaviour (visit, active, social). 'Good maintenance and cleanliness' and 'trees' were the two highest-rated features for encouraging adults to visit a park and be active and social. A 'peaceful and relaxed setting' was ranked third for visitation and 'sense of safety from strangers' was ranked third for both physical activity and social interaction. Significant differences in rating scores were observed between frequent and infrequent park visitors for all three outcomes. The findings will assist those involved in park planning and design to create parks that are tailored to the specific needs of this important user group. This is critical for enhanced physical, social, and mental health at the population level.
城市公园是一个关键场所，它可以通过提供体育活动和社交互动的机会来促进健康。因此，有必要更好地了解哪些公园特征对于鼓励人们积极使用公园和进行社交互动最为重要。本研究调查了澳大利亚成年人对公园特征在鼓励公园游览、公园内体育活动和社交互动方面的重要性的认知。参与者 [n = 232，42.2岁（标准差 = 13.4），53%为女性] 对43种不同公园特征的图片进行了评分。对于每种特征，计算了总体样本以及按性别和公园使用行为（游览、活动、社交）的频繁/不频繁公园访客的平均得分（标准差）。“良好的维护和清洁”以及“树木”是鼓励成年人游览公园并积极参与活动和社交的两个评分最高的特征。“宁静放松的环境”在游览方面排名第三，“对陌生人的安全感”在体育活动和社交互动方面均排名第三。在所有三个结果方面，频繁和不频繁公园访客的评分得分存在显著差异。这些发现将有助于参与公园规划和设计的人员创建符合这一重要用户群体特定需求的公园。这对于在人群层面促进身体、社交和心理健康至关重要。
