Analysis of Usage Behavior and Preference in Senior-Friendly Parks for the Aging Society

The Korean society is currently showing a decrease in the child population and a rapid increase in the elderly population due to low birth rates and aging, but the current park system does not reflect the changing population structure. This study aimed to find ways to plan and promote use of senior-friendly parks for the aging society. The results are as follows. First, the elderly mostly gathered in Tapgol Park and Jongmyo Park which were accessible to subways and close to amenities and traditional markets. The elders usually gathered around buffer zones or green spaces set up to protect cultural heritages. Second, many elderly users were observed in Osolgil Silver Park and Sinteuri Park which were renovated with senior-friendly concept. These parks were recognized as places that the elderly people could visit without minding users of other generations because the elderly users were ensured by words such as 'seniors only' or 'senior-friendly'. Third, the importance of the locational conditions for the senior-friendly parks should be mentioned. A senior-friendly park must be located in an urban center to have convenient access to transportation, secure large green spaces, and make elderly users feel at ease with social connectivity when they use the amenities there. Fourth, the survey results showed that elderly people visited parks to exerciseand take a walk (track),by age, older age groups visited the park to socialize with other elders around their age. Fifth, the most desired facilities for constructing senior-friendly parks were fitness equipment, and sports facilities like a trail, track, and gateball field, and in some cases, vegetable gardens and indoor rest area to avoid wind in cold weather.