Associations between park visitation and physical, mental and social health among older adults

BACKGROUND: Population ageing is a growing public health concern. Parks can play a central role in promoting healthy ageing by offering accessible spaces for physical activity, social interaction, and mental restoration. However, little is known about how older adults use parks across seasons, what activities they engage in, and who they visit with and how this differs according to season and health status. Associations between older adults’ park visitation and health are not well explored, and little is known about reasons for non-visitation. This study among older adults aimed to (1) describe park visitation (frequency, duration, accompaniment, activities) across all seasons and by health status; (2) examine associations of total park visitation frequency and duration with self-reported physical, mental, and social health; and (3) describe reasons for non-visitation. METHODS: Older adults (n = 235) in Belgium reported their park visitation, health, and demographics. Using the Public Participatory Geographic Information Systems tool “My Green Place”, participants indicated the park that they visited most often or that they did not visit parks. Those who indicated that they were park visitors, completed questions concerning their park visitation and non-visitors reported reasons for not visiting. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and chi-square tests were performed (aims 1 and 3). Logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations of total year-round park visitation frequency (# visits/year) and duration (hours per visit/year) with physical, mental, and social health and loneliness (aim 2). RESULTS: Most participants (61%) visited year-round, especially in summer and spring. Park visitation frequency and duration were highest among participants who visited year-round. At least half of the sample visited parks alone across all seasons. Walking, sitting, listening to nature, and socialising were the most common activities. Reasons why non-visitors did not visit parks were primarily personal (e.g., physical disability, health reasons) or park related. There were limited associations observed between park visitation and health. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may help with planning park programming activities and informing important park features that cater to older adults’ needs, ensuring that parks support older adults’ healthy ageing.