What entices older adults to parks? Identification of park features that encourage park visitation, physical activity, and social interaction

Parks are a key setting that can support the health and well-being of older adults through facilitating physical activity and social interaction. However, park use among older adults is low, therefore it is important to better understand which park features are most likely to encourage them to visit and be active and social in parks. This two-phased study examined the relative importance of park features for encouraging park visitation, park-based physical activity, and social interaction among older adults (65+ years). In Phase 1, participants (n = 258; 71.9 + 5.42 years, 52% male) completed an online survey where they rated a selection of images of 42 park features according to the importance of these features for encouraging their park visitation, physical activity and social interaction. The most highly-rated features were included in a new survey for Phase 2, where a new sample (n = 243; 71.5 + 4.91 years, 51% male) completed Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint analyses tasks to identify relative importance scores of each park feature for all three outcomes. Overall, the two most important features for park visitation were shady trees (conjoint analysis relative importance score 19.6%; 95%CI = 18.3, 20.9) and a peaceful and relaxed setting (19.6%, 95%CI = 18.1, 21.1). The most important feature for physical activity was walking paths (19.6%; 95%CI = 17.1, 22.1) and for social interaction was a peaceful and relaxed setting (14.7%; 95%CI = 12.6, 16.9). Park designers should prioritise shady trees, a peaceful and relaxed setting, and walking paths to ensure that parks meet older adults' needs and encourage physical activity and social interaction during their park visits.

Automated summary

Parks play a crucial role in supporting the health and well-being of older adults, but their use among this population is low. This study investigated the relative importance of different park features in encouraging park visitation, physical activity, and social interaction among older adults. The results revealed that shady trees and a peaceful and relaxed setting were the most important features for park visitation, while walking paths were crucial for physical activity and a peaceful and relaxed setting for social interaction. Park designers should prioritize these features to meet the needs of older adults and promote physical activity and social interaction during park visits.