Solitude, nature, and parallel shared experience: Varied impacts of human presence on urban park functions

Urban parks serve dual roles as nature contact and social interaction. Balancing different functions requires an understanding of the specific impact of the presence of other people on specific functions and experiences. This qualitative study explores how the presence of others affects perceived park functions and experiences with 26 semistructured interviews with young adults with domestic and international backgrounds in a U.S. college town. Thematic analysis revealed four domains of park functions affected by others: being alone, appreciating nature, being with others, and appreciating urban/cultural life. Importantly, within these domains, functions could be influenced in different ways: positively (e.g., interaction with unfamiliar others), negatively (e.g., escaping social distress), or not prominently (e.g., interaction with familiar others, appreciating architecture). A key theoretical contribution is the identification of parallel shared experience, where the mere co-presence of others, without direct interaction, can foster a positive atmosphere. Contextual factors, such as spatial arrangement, safety, and personal orientations, further influence the role of others. These findings challenge simplistic dichotomies of nature versus social benefits, highlighting the need for context-sensitive designs and management that accommodate fluctuating needs for both social interaction and privacy.