Relationship between the demographic characteristics of park users and intensity of park use: the case of Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park

Abstract

Parks are among the few urban infrastructure that functionally combines all the three pillars of sustainable development namely: ecological, social and economic functions. For example, Stanley Park currently serves as one of the largest tourist destinations in Canada. This helps to promote economic growth through the money spent by tourists in the City of Vancouver. The park also provides ecological services through its green infrastructure whilst at the same time serving as a place for social activities such as cycling, jogging and playing tennis. Despite the enormous benefits derived from urban parks, there is a paucity of research investigating the individual demographic characteristics that tend to associate with increased utilization of public parks within an urban setting. There is therefore the need for park researchers and administrators to understand the relationship between the demographic characteristics of park visitors and intensity of park use. The data used for this research was collected through a survey conducted at Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park, both located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Chi-square tests were used to assess the association between individual demographic characteristics and increased utilization of public parks. For Stanley Park, place of origin and age were the most important predictors for high park patronage; while employment status and sex were found to be the significant factors that associated with high intensity use of Queen Elizabeth Park. The study shows that different demographic variables influence the intensity in the utilization of Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. Park administrators and policy makers must therefore undertake park specific needs assessment when providing park facilities, programs and services. This will help promote effective and efficient park service delivery.