Factors Influencing the Visitation and Revisitation of Urban Parks: A Case Study from Hangzhou, China

Abstract

Visitors’ satisfaction and willingness to revisit urban parks are closely linked to park longevity. However, few details of this relationship have been studied. We explored the factors influencing urban park use and factors motivating revisitation in six urban parks in Hangzhou, China. Data from 600 park visitors were collected over three months using a face-to-face questionnaire. These included socio-demographic data, residential data, personal characteristics, park satisfaction, motivations for visit, and other information. A hierarchical regression model was applied to analyze the contribution of each variable to visitation by park users. Physical and mental benefits and previous positive experiences were the main factors motivating park visitation. Age and distance to the nearest park were the main factors driving park revisitation, and they were positively and negatively correlated with visitation frequency, respectively. Long-term and short-term residents, who commute by cycling or walking, made up the majority of park visitors. Interestingly, park features had no significant impact on revisitation. Weather and time limitations were major factors limiting visitation to parks, and traffic and inadequate park facilities limited revisitation. Our results could be useful for urban planners as they develop guidelines to improve visitor satisfaction and promote the longevity of urban parks.

The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Preference and Park Usage in Guangzhou, China

“…With regard to reasons for infrequent park usage (less than once a month), the results indicate that a lack of time accounted for more than half of all visiting barriers cited by respondents. This is consistent with results from previous studies [31,32,50]. Other barriers identified included "prefer other leisure places" and "poor quality of park'.…”

“…The results emphasize the priority of walking as a transportation mode to get to parks, especially for shorter trips of less than 15 min. This finding supports previous studies that also highlight that walking is the primary transportation used by regular park users close to parks [32,44]. Taking ease of access into account, respondents highlighted walking to visit parks was the easiest method compared to other methods of transportation, regardless of the travel time.…”

“…Variations in visit duration inside parks can be influenced by a variety of activities in parks undertaken by users [15,32,45]. This is consistent with motivations for visiting parks for trips with different visiting times (Table S2) and demonstrates that visitors used parks for longer when motivated by enjoying the scenery and meeting with friends or family.…”

“…Shan [31] conducted an analysis on green space use in Guangzhou, stressing that walking was the most common transport mode, encouraging people to have frequent visitations to UGSs. Similarly, Zhan et al [32] identified that good access to parks within walking distance attracted users due to daily exercise habits. Additionally, the attractiveness of parks could be reflected by an individual's visiting behavior [33], influencing park use [32,34].…”

“…Similarly, Zhan et al [32] identified that good access to parks within walking distance attracted users due to daily exercise habits. Additionally, the attractiveness of parks could be reflected by an individual's visiting behavior [33], influencing park use [32,34].…”