Speaker
Description
Urban parks in Costa Rica are scarce but widely used by people of all ages. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 50% of visitors to the country's main metropolitan parks reported an increase in their visitation frequency. This paper explores metropolitan park users' perceptions of those places as agents of well-being, both before and after the pandemic.
Data was collected through walking interviews conducted in Costa Rica's three largest metropolitan parks in 2024. In each park, two separate walks were carried out—one with participants under 65 and another with participants over 65. These walks were tracked using GPS and synchronized with audio recordings. Interview transcriptions were coded through thematic analysis and then georeferenced using Geographic Information Systems. Additionally, park management staff were interviewed, and infrastructure assessments were conducted.
The findings suggest that urban parks are highly valued for recreation and social interaction, particularly by older adults and individuals engaging in outdoor sports. Participants reflected on their experiences before and after COVID-19, highlighting how they have come to reappreciate these spaces. Key themes that emerged included social interaction, infrastructure, and available facilities. However, concerns were raised regarding safety and the deterioration of park infrastructure due to insufficient funding, which has negatively impacted services and amenities.
Both adults and older adults expressed their challenges and expectations for the future, emphasizing how urban parks have helped them navigate the social and emotional effects of the pandemic. These spaces have facilitated the creation of new support networks and reinforced their role as essential resources for collective well-being
References
Orford, S., Fan, Y., Hubbard, P., 2023. Urban public health emergencies and the COVID-19 pandemic. Part 1: Social and spatial inequalities in the COVID-city. Urban Studies 60, 1329–1345. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420980231170740
Sepe, M., 2021. Covid-19 pandemic and public spaces: improving quality and flexibility for healthier places. Urban Design International 26, 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-021-00153-x
Zhang, W., Li, J., 2023. A quasi-experimental analysis on the causal effects of COVID-19 on urban park visits: The role of park features and the surrounding built environment. Urban For Urban Green 82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127898
| Keywords | post pandemic; urban parks, parks reappreciation; Costa Rica. |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
