Park Features, Neighborhood Environment, and Time Factors Affect Park Visitor Volume: A Meta-Analysis

Urban parks are essential for sustainable urban planning, but their usage patterns remain complex. This meta-analysis of 30 studies identifies factors influencing park visitor volume, focusing on park attributes, neighborhood environments, and temporal aspects. Random-effect models reveal positive associations with park size, diverse facilities, organized activities, trails, maintenance, and quality. Neighborhood population density and points of interest also increase visitation, while socio-economically disadvantaged areas see reduced use. Temporal factors, such as time of day and season, significantly shape patterns. However, features like water, greenness, crime safety, and transit accessibility show mixed or insignificant effects. Regional differences highlight stronger impacts of population density and transit accessibility in the U.S. compared to Asian studies. These findings provide actionable insights for urban planners and landscape architects to design parks that cater to diverse needs, boost visitation, and maximize their community benefits.