Policymaker and Practitioner Perceptions of Parks for Health and Wellbeing: Scoping a Holistic Approach

Urban parks provide a multitude of health benefits for citizens navigating the challenges 21st-century living. And while this is well known by both scholars and practitioners, there less understanding about differential impacts park size, type facilities, community accessibility, management. This central concern research reported here, which part larger project titled ‘Better Parks, Healthier All?’ funded under UKRI-NHMRC Built Environment Prevention Research Scheme 2019. Within broader context, current paper discusses results focus group to better understand how different qualities promote physical mental health. Using COVID-safe approach, we brought key providers, policymakers, green open space designers from New South Wales, Australia, together participate in an online May 2021. The recruitment was based on domain expertise practitioner knowledge issues at hand. ensuing discussion canvassed three areas interest: What quality? How quality associated with health? can assess its ability deliver outcomes? A thematic analysis group’s deliberations reveals very holistic appreciation quality. network range outcomes view, each playing role delivering across network. Our findings indicate that are many opportunities enhance myriad multiple ways gain them. Co-design essential ensure best suit local context relevant all stakeholders. In way, communities ownership enhanced agency relation using enjoying their parks. We conclude locally networked spaces wellbeing global environmental sustainability.