Differences in Users’ Activity Characteristics and Spatial Patterns in Neighborhood Parks during the Late Afternoon and Evening Periods

Evidence shows that neighborhood parks play an important role in serving nearby residents, such as promoting physical activity and relieving stress, but thus far, little attention has been given to the impact of time on park use. This study explored users’ behavioral patterns at different time periods and their perception of attributes during the nighttime in three neighborhood parks in Nanjing, China. A total of 7482 park users were documented using the method of behavior mapping, and the results revealed that the spatial clusters of hotspots for the locations of the observed users differed significantly between late afternoon and evening, and the nighttime park users were more in number and were more active in physical activity. This study also found that improvements in site diversity and incorporations of night markets and shows were emphasized by park users based on their nighttime experience. The findings can be used to improve the future design and management of neighborhood parks, especially for promoting nighttime use.