The effects of urban park on residents' health: An empirical study based on Tangxi River Park in Hefei

Abstract

As an important way for urban residents to access nature environment, urban park has a certain degree of impact on the health of the population. In this study, Tangxihe Park in Hefei City was used as the research site, and the impact of urban parks on population health was quantitatively studied by analyzing the demographic characteristics, physical and mental health of park users, and park satisfaction. The results show that the quality of overall environment, green space and activity facilities of the park have a positive effect on improving the physical and mental health of the residents, the time of residents spending in the park have a positive effect on their physical and mental health, the longer of the residents spending in the park, the higher of the health benefits they received. Physical health regression analysis showed that residents received better physical health benefits by using the park between 6am to 9am compared to those entering the park between 12pm to 14pm and 14pm to 18pm. Mental health regression analysis showed that residents entering the park between 14pm to 18pm received better mental health benefits than those entering the park between 6am to 9am. The research results verify the specific health effects of urban parks in the context of Chinese demographic and geographic background, and enrich the theoretical content on the health benefits of urban parks in different regional contexts.