Research Note: Relationship between childhood nature play and adulthood participation in nature-based recreation among urban residents in Tokyo area

Abstract

As urban areas and populations increase rapidly worldwide, experiences of nature play in urban green spaces would be a key for reconnecting people and natural environments. However, few studies have demonstrated the effects of childhood nature play on nature-related behavior among adults and its relative importance to sociodemographic factors. We conducted a retrospective questionnaire survey of 1030 adult residents in the Tokyo area, and found that the frequency of childhood play in green spaces was correlated positively with that of nature-based activities from gardening to international nature-based tourism, and even more strongly so than age, gender, and income. Given that participation in nature-based recreational activities reflects people’s interest in and appreciation of nature and can contribute to nature conservation, the creation and effective design of urban green spaces where children can interact with nature will not only improve local environments, but also contribute to global nature conservation.