Longing for open spaces: Urban park user’s patterns in the Post-COVID era in San José, Costa Rica

Substantial restrictions on access to urban parks during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in the way people visit and appreciate these spaces. This study explores visitation frequency and its changes, longing for open spaces, and the renewed appreciation of the three main regional urban parks in San José, Costa Rica. These aspects were analysed in relation to demographic factors: age, sex, and educational level as well behavioural variables. Data were collected through 8575 on-site surveys among park visitors in 2023. Findings reveal that 75 % of respondents expressed a strong desire for parks to reopen or reported longing for open spaces. Additionally, 50 % state that they have increased their visitation frequency, and 48 % now consider these parks more valuable than they did before the pandemic. A multivariable binary logistic regression model confirmed that emotional and behavioural variables were the strongest predictors of increased appreciation, while sociodemographic factors had more modest effects. Nevertheless, educational level remained relevant, with lower education levels associated with higher visitation but not consistently with greater appreciation when controlling for other factors. This study contributes to a better understanding of emerging attitudes toward urban parks after COVID-19 and their importance in the daily lives of users.