Encouraging Park Use

David Vial & Michelle PriorIntegrated Open Space Services - IOSS

Objectives

1. Examine Current Use of Parks2. Why Encourage Park Use3. Survey Results4. Encouraging Park Use5. Workshop

Wealth of Park DiversityTownsville as an example

National Parks – Magnetic Island Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkWetlands - Town CommonForeshore Parks – Soroptomist ParkLinear Parks & Cycleways - Ross River ParklandsLocal Parks – Sherrif ParkSport ParksTraditional Gardens – Queens ParkBotanic Gardens - PalmetumIconic Parks - The Strand

Factors Affecting Park Use

Weather & climateAspectLocation

Higher density areas wider range of hours of use

Factors Affecting Park UseAccessibility

DistanceCost & future availability of fuel

Mode of transportPhysical barriers

Busy roads, waterways, railway lines

Park amenity, features & facilities

Factors Affecting Park UseEventsDay of the week

Weekends / holidaysTime of day

Early morning / late afternoonExercising, commuting

Mid morningPreschooler play

Middle of the dayPicnics, lunchbreaks

Evening

Factors Affecting Park Use

Level of maintenanceTime availabilityLife cyclePromotion of parksOther competing leisure activities

Age & Gender of Park UsersComparison of Park User Profiles to General Population – Age &

Gender

Sources: 2004 - 2007 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program (n=17,220), 2006 Census

Age % FemalePark Users

% Female General Pop.

% MalePark Users

% Male General Pop.

% Overall Park Users

% Overall General Pop.

14-16 3% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5%

17-19 4% 5% 5% 5% 4% 5%

20-29 17% 15% 17% 16% 17% 16%

30-39 30% 17% 22% 17% 26% 17%

40-49 21% 17% 20% 18% 21% 17%

50-59 13% 15% 13% 15% 13% 15%

60-69 8% 10% 11% 10% 10% 10%

> 70 4% 16% 6% 13% 5% 15%

Predominant Activities Undertaken in Parks Age &

GenderSource: 2004 - 2007 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program (n=17,220)

ActivityF

14-16

M14-16

F17-19

M17-19

F20-29

M20-29

F30-39

M30-39

F40-49

M40-49

F50-59

M50-59

F60-69

M60-69

F>70

M>70

Walking / Moving around X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

P/G / Children Supervision X X X X X X X X X X X X

Dog Exercise/Recreation X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Picnicking / BBQ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Relaxing X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Enjoy Outdoors/Nature X X X X X X X X X X X X

Spectating Sport X X X X X X

Socialising X X X X X

Meal/Refreshment Break X X X X X X

Playing/Training Sport X X X X

Cycling X X X

Playing Social/Ball Games X X

Skateboarding X

BMX / Stunt Bike Riding X

Why Encourage Park Use?Historical Perspective

Park Evolution since 1st Millennium BCPlace for Public Pleasure

19th CenturyPromenading, Fresh Air, Recreation

20th CenturyAccessible Playgrounds, Sportsfields, Picnic Facilities

Late 20th – 21st CenturiesWide Diversity of Accessible Settings, Placemaking Initiatives, Multi-disciplinary Planning & Management

Ongoing Evolution of Park Use will Continue

Why Encourage Park Use?Return on Investment

Land AllocationLocal, State and Federal level

Financial InvestmentHuman resourcesAsset valueDevelopment & maintenance expenditure

Why Encourage Park Use?

Community Health / WellbeingPhysicalMentalSpiritualSocialCultural

The FlipsideUse conflictsOveruseInadequate land capacity to meet future demandEffects of climate changeSustainable resource useAvailable funds

Encourage Park Use Survey

Source: 2005/6 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program

Survey conducted in 2005/0648 Government Authorities 7,511 park users interviewed591 ParksSE, central & Nth Qld; Sydney Region, Melbourne Region, Perth RegionMainly coastal population centres

Encourage Park Use Survey

Park Category BreakdownSource: 2005/6 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program

Park Categories

Active

Active / Passive

Botanical Gardens

Conservation

Passive Total

Iconic - 102 - - - 102

Regional 282 713 65 218 2,024 3,302

District 1,010 549 - 20 248 1,827

Local / District - - - 315 1,711 2,026

Local - - - 8 246 254

Total 1,292 1,364 65 561 4,229 7,511

Encourage Park Use Survey

Responses: Factors that will encourage more use of parksSource: 2005/06 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program n=1,500

Item Description

General Park FacilitiesSeats, tables, picnic facilities, taps, drinking fountains etc

Park Design / EnvironmentAppearance, atmosphere, attractive design/layout, inviting, size, water features

Good MaintenanceClean, tidy, well maintained parks; clean facilities & toilets

Children's PlaygroundsAge specific design, good quality, upgraded, challenging, educational

Dog Facilities Dog friendly parks, off-leash areas, dog facilities

Shade & Shelter Natural shade, constructed shelters

Soft LandscapeGreenery, shrubs, trees, flowers, green grass, good irrigation

Safety Safe parks, safe facilities, personal security

AccessAccessibility, proximity to home, convenience, car parking

Events & Entertainment Festivals, community events, planting days etc

Recreational OpportunitiesSkateparks, BMX parks, basketball courts, open areas for ball games, diversity of activities

Encourage Park Use Survey Responses: Factors that will encourage more use of parks

Source: 2005/06 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program n=1,500

Item Description

PathsWalking paths & trails, cycle paths, rollerblade paths, jogging tracks

Aspect / Location Scenic views, pleasant surrounds, near water, beaches

Amenity Blocks Good toilets

Sport Sport facilities, sport competitions

User ManagementReducing/eliminating anti-social behaviour, policing dog owners

Children's Activities Areas for children to play, children’s activities

Natural Areas & WildlifeBushland, being close to nature, areas for native fauna

FencesDog enclosure fences, fenced playgrounds, safety fences

Food & Beverage Facilities

Cafes, kiosks, restaurants

Lights Extended hours of use, security

Park Promotion & Publicity

Advertising, internet promotion, awareness raising, direction signage to park

Encourage Park Use Survey Responses: Factors that will encourage more use of parks

Source: 2005/06 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program n=1,500

Item Description

Aquatic Recreation Swimming enclosures, water play

Exercise Exercise equipment, health, personal fitness

Disabled Facilities Ramps, access for all facilities

Miscellaneous More time, better weather

No EncouragementCurrent high user of parks / nothing would encourage / no opinion

Encourage Park Use Survey

Encouragement Categories by Age & Gender

Source: 2005/06 Benchmark Park User Satisfaction Survey Program n=1,500

Encouragement Category

F14-16

M14-16

F17-19

M17-19

F20-29

M20-29

F30-39

M30-39

F40-49

M40-49

F50-59

M50-59

F60-69

M60-69

F>70

M>70

General Park Facilities X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Park Design/Environ. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Good Maintenance X X X X X X X X X X X X

Children's Playgrounds X X X X X X X X X

Dog Facilities X X X X X X X X X X

Shade & Shelter X X X X X X X X X X

Soft Landscape X X X X X X X X

Safety X X X X X X X

Access X X X X X X X X X

Events & Entertainment X X X X X

Rec. Opportunities X X X X X

Sport X X X

Paths X X

Aspect / Location X X X

Childrens Activities X

User Management X

Encouraging Park UseMore people visiting parks expressed as a % of the total population?Increased length of stay in the parks?Increased frequency of use of parks?Increased variety of activities undertaken in parks?Better outcomes for fringe / cultural groups?

Encouraging Park Use

Type of ParklandPassive, Active, Conservation, Iconic, Regional, District, Local, Linear, Foreshore, Scenic

Range of User Groups – Differing RequirementsAge, Gender, Activity, Cultural etc

Range of Parkland Features/FacilitiesParkland Amenity; Paths, Picnics, Playgrounds etc

Match Parkland Settings & Features/Facilities to Targeted User Requirements

Requires good local information from which to make decisions

Workshop / Forum