Diverse visitors enjoying a vibrant urban park with a central glowing lake.

Unlocking Urban Parks: How Understanding Visitors Can Boost Their Value

Reese Marlowe in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover how segmenting park visitors based on their perceived value can optimize park management and increase willingness to pay."

Urban parks are more than just patches of green; they're dynamic spaces that promote health, recreation, and cultural exchange. As our appreciation for quality of life and ecological resources grows, so does the importance of understanding the value people place on these parks.

Parks serve multiple purposes, acting as venues for nature appreciation, relaxation, and diverse cultural events. They cater to both local residents and tourists, offering a wide range of benefits—physical, psychological, aesthetic, environmental, economic, social, cultural, historical, and recreational. The core values people seek in these parks can vary greatly based on individual perceptions.

Understanding perceived value is key to explaining consumer behavior and influencing individual attitudes. Just as value shapes attitudes and behaviors, analyzing user behavior and willingness to invest, can lead to powerful improvements in the value of a park. By focusing on how visitors perceive and value urban parks, we can unlock insights into better management and sustainable development.

Decoding Visitor Value: Three Key Groups

Diverse visitors enjoying a vibrant urban park with a central glowing lake.

To understand how visitors perceive value, researchers used latent profile analysis (LPA) in a study of Gwanggyo Lake Park (GLP) in South Korea. This approach identified three distinct groups:

Each group seeks something different from the park experience:

Local Seekers (LS): These visitors prioritize the local culture and community aspects of the park.
Ecology Seekers (ES): These visitors are most interested in the park's ecological value and natural environment.
Recreation Seekers (RS): These visitors focus on recreational activities, scenery, and the therapeutic benefits of the park.

By understanding these distinct preferences, park managers can tailor their strategies to meet the specific needs of each group, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.

Turning Insights into Action: Tailoring Park Management

The study also explored the willingness of each group to pay for different park attributes, revealing key priorities:

The willingness to pay varied significantly between the three groups: <ul> <li>All groups valued basic infrastructure improvements the most.</li> <li>Recreation Seekers were more willing to invest in advanced services.</li> <li>Ecology Seekers showed a greater interest in ecological activities.</li> </ul>

These insights can inform targeted management strategies, such as specialized zoning and ecotourism initiatives tailored to each visitor type. Understanding visitor preferences is essential for making informed decisions about resource allocation and park development, ensuring that urban parks continue to thrive as valuable community assets.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/ijerph15112518, Alternate LINK

Title: Visitors’ Perceived Place Value And The Willingness To Pay In An Urban Lake Park

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: Chanyul Park, Hwasung Song

Published: 2018-11-09

Everything You Need To Know

What makes urban parks so important?

Urban parks are more than just green spaces; they are dynamic venues that serve several purposes, including nature appreciation, relaxation, and cultural events. They cater to a diverse group of visitors, ranging from local residents to tourists. These parks offer a variety of benefits, such as physical, psychological, aesthetic, environmental, economic, social, cultural, historical, and recreational advantages. The value people place on these parks varies depending on individual perceptions.

What are the three visitor groups identified in the study, and what does each group value?

The three key groups identified through latent profile analysis (LPA) are: Local Seekers (LS), Ecology Seekers (ES), and Recreation Seekers (RS). Local Seekers prioritize local culture and community. Ecology Seekers value the park's natural environment, while Recreation Seekers focus on activities, scenery, and therapeutic benefits. Understanding these groups allows park managers to tailor strategies for improved visitor satisfaction.

Why is it important to understand the perceived value of urban parks?

Understanding the perceived value of urban parks is critical because it directly influences visitor behavior and attitudes. Analyzing how visitors perceive and value the park unlocks insights that lead to improved park management and sustainable development. By understanding the different types of visitors and what they value, park managers can make informed decisions about resource allocation, programming, and infrastructure development, ultimately enhancing the overall experience and ensuring the park's long-term viability.

What are the implications of understanding the different visitor groups and their preferences?

The implications of understanding visitor preferences are significant. By knowing the priorities of each group—Local Seekers (LS), Ecology Seekers (ES), and Recreation Seekers (RS)—park managers can tailor park management strategies effectively. This includes providing programs, facilities, and communication that specifically cater to each group's needs. Tailoring these aspects enhances the overall experience and increases the willingness of visitors to invest in the park's resources, leading to greater satisfaction and a more sustainable park environment.

What is latent profile analysis (LPA), and how was it used in the study of Gwanggyo Lake Park (GLP)?

The study of Gwanggyo Lake Park (GLP) in South Korea used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct visitor groups. LPA is a statistical method used to identify subgroups within a larger population based on shared characteristics or preferences. This approach allowed researchers to segment park visitors into groups—Local Seekers (LS), Ecology Seekers (ES), and Recreation Seekers (RS)—each with different priorities and values. By understanding these groups, park managers can better meet their needs.