Influence of the setting

The findings of this research suggest that nature rich urban parks can enhance the quality of social interaction. The nature rich character of the parks appears to positively influence the occurrence and quality of social interaction between companions and park visitors. The nature rich quality of the parks is described as enhancing the overall ‘friendliness’ of the setting. This is associated with both the aesthetic and peaceful characteristics, and the reputation of the parks in this research as friendly places. The positive influence of nature rich environments on social activity has received some interest and support (Dunnett et al., 2002; Milligan, 2004; Sullivan, Kuo & Depooter, 2004). Rohde & Kendle (1994) found that

“nature can apparently provide a setting for the establishment and maintenance of both close social ties and relations with the wider community” (p. 140). Nature rich urban landscapes have also been found to be important to older adults because they offer “an arena for social interaction, reinforcement, and bonding” (Rohde & Kendle, 1994, p. 141). Unlike some other urban environments, social contact between strangers is acceptable and customary at both parks.

While the social culture of the parks in this research is influenced by the nature rich quality, the social character and friendliness is also associated with the central urban location. As

centrally located urban venues, the parks are accessible meeting places. The parks provide a sense of community and social integration that help to bridge the social barriers that may exist for older women in other urban locations. Parks are accessed in this research as places to meet friends and companions, and also attract visitors who create the park ‘community’. In Hagley Park in particular, this includes a rich multicultural and intergenerational presence.

Throughout history, city spaces have served as meeting places for exchanging social information, marketplaces for exchanging goods and services, and connecting spaces for access in and around the city (Gehl, 2007). “Meeting other people has been the most

important function and attraction of the city, and city space has had a central role as meeting place” (Gehl, 2007, p. 8). The parks in this research are perceived as city spaces which provide opportunities for social connection, and nature rich places which positively influence the occurrence and quality of social interaction.

The social culture of the parks is further influenced by their use as leisure venues. In this research, relationships are nurtured and sustained as an outcome of the use of the park as a leisure venue, and particularly regular and frequent use of the park for ‘walking and talking’

with friends. Leisure has been found to contribute to social interaction, companionship and friendship (Coleman & Iso-Ahola, 1993). Social interaction with other park visitors appears to be acceptable when associated with leisure activities.

4.3.4 Comparisons and summary

The findings of this research underscore the value of urban parks as social venues for older women. The parks provide a setting to nurture relationships with friends and experience a sense of social integration and belonging. Parks and gardens have been found to be a significant venue for social encounters (Burgess et al., 1988). The social experience of the women in this research varies somewhat between the two parks.

The social meaning of the parks to the women in this research reflects the value of social capital (Putnam, 1993) and the expression of an ethic of care (Gilligan, 1982). Both bridging and bonding social capital are apparent in the social interaction among the research

participants. Bonding social capital is reflected in the friendships that are sustained and nurtured through park use, largely while ‘walking and talking’. The social aspect of park use related to nurturing and sustaining existing relationships is similar in both parks. Park based friendships among the research participants comprise demographically similar social networks

related to both age and gender and are characterized by the exchange of emotional and instrumental support. The value of park-based friendships is enhanced by the quality and longevity of many of these relationships. This provides a sense of continuity associated with the familiarity and stability of an enduring social network.

Bridging social capital occurs through the interaction among park visitors who comprise the wider park ‘community’. Whereas Hagley Park provides a venue for numerous activities and events which bring together large groups of people, Boulevard Lake Park attracts a smaller but more consistent group of park visitors, referred to as ‘Boulevard walkers’. The social context of Hagley Park is influenced by a large and diverse population of international visitors, contributing to the multicultural character of the park. Boulevard Lake is

characterized by more regular visitors from within the city, so tends to be more culturally homogeneous. The social culture of the parks is contrasted with other urban environments that are portrayed as less friendly, such as the city centre.

The ‘ethic of care’ (Gilligan, 1982) is an aspect of both bonding and bridging social networks in the parks. The ethic of care is apparent in the interaction among friends and the larger park community, characterized by an awareness of, and concern for, other park visitors and for the park setting. The expression of an ethic of care is largely similar in the two parks, particularly among friends and companions, although there does appear to be a more pronounced ethic of care within bridging social networks at Boulevard Lake because of the consistency of a regular group of park visitors.

While contact with others is a meaningful aspect of park use, the presence of others, with no need or intention to interact, is also valued. The presence of others contributes to a sense of safety and provides opportunities for ‘covert socializing’ by, for example, people watching or attending a large park event. This aspect of social contact occurs more often at Hagley Park because of the greater occurrence of organized events and opportunities for ‘people

watching’.

When meaningful social relationships occur and are maintained in specific settings, those settings have been found to gain meaning (Kyle, Mowen & Tarrant, 2004). The social integration and community afforded by park use reflects the concept of ‘social insideness’, which describes patterns of social relationships that contribute to a sense of belonging (Rowles, 1983). In this research, the multiple and diverse social experiences, including both friendships and engagement with the wider park community, contribute to social insideness, which strengthens the attachment participants feel toward the parks and contributes to their

value. The social context of park use is influenced by the nature rich quality of the parks, their urban location, and the character of the parks as leisure venues.