Benefits and constraints associated with the use of an urban park reported by a sample of elderly in Hong Kong

The purpose of the study was to explore the constraints and benefits associated with the use of an urban park by a sample of elderly people in Hong Kong. The proportion of elderly in the population of Hong Kong is increasing rapidly. Although a substantial body of research on leisure and the elderly exists in western societies, no previous research on this subject in Hong Kong has been reported, and it seemed likely that cultural differences would lead to some different perspectives. A purposive sample of 25 elderly respondents, 13 within Tsuen Wan Jockey Club Tak Wah Park and 12 outside the park, were interviewed. Representatives from three age cohorts, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and over, were selected. The major constraints associated with not using the park more by both park and non-park users were poor health, being too busy, and poor park management, which incorporated crowding, the poor hygiene of other park users, and illicit behavior in the park. Non-park users cited a number of additional reasons. Respondents perceived that multiple health, social and psychological benefits accrued from park use. Cultural differences were identified suggesting that the implications for facilitating urban park use in Hong Kong may be different from those in western societies.