Preferences, benefits, and park visits: a latent class segmentation analysis

This study describes and predicts segments of urban park visitors to support park planning and policy making. A latent class analysis is used to identify segments of park users who differ regarding their preferences for park characteristics, benefits sought in park visits, and sociodemographics. Data for the present study were obtained using a mail-back survey on park choice behavior from 1,107 residents in the Eindhoven region in The Netherlands in 2002. The latent class analysis resulted in four segments of residents based on clearly different park preferences and benefits sought in the parks. The segments are characterized as "local nature lovers," "passive park users," "visitors of pleasant neighborhood parks," and "active large park users." Sociodemographics did not discriminate between the various segments of park visitors. These findings emphasize the importance of taking into account different leisure preferences and benefits sought by individuals when evaluating the impact of urban green space facilities.