Urban Green Areas – their functions under a changing lifestyle of ...

People walking (13 % of observed activities), just passing through the park or going to or
coming from a longer stay inside the park area cannot be identified by observation. Thus
people were asked in the survey for the main activities they usually do in the park (see
figure 4.22).
4% 3% 2% 1%
15%
meeting friends/ colleagues
doing sport/ exercise
relaxing
44%
31%
children accompanying
playing/using entertainment facilities
providing services/ selling
trainning/joining in organized group.
(N=2143)
Figure 4.22: Share of activities of the park users (based on interviews)
(Own survey, 2010- 2011)
The results based on interview responses do not involve commercial activities nor the
organised trainings, but focus on leisure activities people do of their own volition (due to
the definition of leisure; see chapter 3.2.5.1). So the range of mentioned actitivies is a little
bit different. Additionally, just one activity for each person can be identified through
observation. In interviews people can mention all the activities they do in parks. So the
following figure (4.22) shows the more realistic activity pattern of park users.
Relaxation is by far the most important purpose that people mention: 57.8 % are in the
parks to recover and to relax!
Of course the importance of exercises and sporting activities (40.3 %) as well as the social
and communication function of parks (20.1 %) are confirmed (see figure 4.22).
To relax, to do exercise or to meet friends in the park are for all visitors the three most
important activities. But
men highlight sporting activities disproportionately more than women (see table 4.10)
and - on a lower level of significance - women “use entertainment facilities”, “care
about their children” and “meet friends and colleagues” more often than men.
92