Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 33 million confirmed cases and over 1 million deaths globally, as of 1 October 2020. During the lockdown and restrictions placed on public activities and gatherings, green spaces have become one of the only sources of resilience amidst the coronavirus pandemic, in part because of their positive effects on psychological, physical and social cohesion and spiritual wellness. This study analyzes the impacts of COVID-19 and government response policies to the pandemic on park visitation at global, regional and national levels and assesses the importance of parks during this global pandemic. The data we collected primarily from Google’s Community Mobility Reports and the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker. The results for most countries included in the analysis show that park visitation has increased since February 16th, 2020 compared to visitor numbers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on social gathering, movement, and the closure of workplace and indoor recreational places, are correlated with more visits to parks. Stay-at-home restrictions and government stringency index are negatively associated with park visits at a global scale. Demand from residents for parks and outdoor green spaces has increased since the outbreak began, and highlights the important role and benefits provided by parks, especially urban and community parks, under the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide recommendations for park managers and other decision-makers in terms of park management and planning during health crises, as well as for park design and development. In particular, parks could be utilized during pandemics to increase the physical and mental health and social well-being of individuals.
Highlights
The COVID-19 has been characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization due to the high numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, and has posed an unprecedented health crisis to human beings (Chan et al 2020; Stier et al 2020; WHO 2020)
We suggest that the use of community parks and urban parks should not be restricted during the COVID-19 outbreak
We analyzed the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government responses and park visitation at global, regional and national scales
Summary
The COVID-19 has been characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization due to the high numbers of confirmed cases and deaths, and has posed an unprecedented health crisis to human beings (Chan et al 2020; Stier et al 2020; WHO 2020). Tiredness, insomnia, posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, loneliness, confusion, depression and anger These have posed a threat to humans’ mental and physical health, as well as social cohesion and resilience (Bo et al 2020; Brooks et al 2020; Monson et al 2017; Gao et al 2020; Wu et al 2005; Xiang et al 2020). Urban parks and green spaces have been recognized as green infrastructure that provide and deliver environmental, social, psychological and health functions and ecological services for residents They provide people with multiple opportunities in terms of recreation and support people health, community cohesion and city sustainability (Chen et al 2018; Chiesura 2004; Wolff et al 2020). Under health crisis and global pandemic, parks and green spaces clearly benefit human mental and physical health, as well as social well-being (Holland et al 2018; Thomsen et al 2013)
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