ScholarWorks@중앙대학교

초록

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of park usage among older adults. It focused on the use cases of Good Morning Park and nearby parks in Seongnam City. The study population consisted of 92 individuals aged 60 and older who use either newly developed or existing parks in Bundang-gu, Seongnam. The analysis centered on the purposes and experiences of park usage, particularly examining the role parks play in promoting physical activity and social interaction. Survey results revealed that older adults highly valued the ease of access to parks by foot and frequently visited Good Morning Park and the Tancheon area for daily walks or light exercise. While satisfaction with park location and walking environment was high, respondents also reported discomfort due to a lack of basic amenities such as shaded areas, benches, and restrooms. In-depth interviews highlighted that accessibility, natural environment, amenities, and safety significantly influenced older adults’ satisfaction with park use. Participants noted that opportunities for social interaction with neighbors in nearby parks and exposure to nature contributed to maintaining their physical health. They also emphasized the need to improve park entrances andcirculation paths, increase shaded areas through tree planting, and enhance essential facilities to encourage greater park use among older adults. These findings offer specific directions for creating age-friendly urban environments. In particular, they suggest that beyond simply ensuring accessibility, park design and management must incorporate multidimensional strategies to create safe, comfortable rest areas and introduce cultural and physical activity programs. This study provides practical environmental improvement measures to help older adults maintain their health and expand their social relationships through park use, and it may serve as a foundation for more targeted policy development through future comparative studies across different local contexts.

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