Urban green spaces as recreational facilities: Resident perceptions, utilization patterns, and well-being in Valenzuela City

Abstract

The Philippines is beginning to recognize the essential role of urban green spaces in promoting public health and environmental protection. This study assessed how urban green spaces in Valenzuela City operate as public recreational facilities and examined residents’ perceptions of their contributions to health and well-being. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were gathered from 282 park users (n = 94 per facility across Valenzuela People’s Park, Family Park, and Sports Park) using structured Likert questionnaires, followed by semi-structured qualitative interviews with 11 purposively selected key informants (nine frequent visitors and two park administrators). The quantitative results reveal high public appraisal for municipal institutional backing (WM = 3.42, Excellent) and cross-district accessibility (WM = 3.54, Excellent), with green spaces serving as vital community anchors for physical exercise (WM = 3.34) and psychological stress relief (WM = 3.32). However, user-perceived benefits are constrained by operational challenges, led by facility vandalism and misuse (WM = 3.50), ongoing cleanliness maintenance issues (WM = 3.46), limited activity schedules, and localized physical safety hazards. The study highlights that capital infrastructure investments must be paired with participatory community governance, diversified wellness programming, and formal staff training to sustain the public health value of urban recreational spaces.