Beyond green: Unveiling the impact of urban park quality and greenery on children’s physical activity

Urban green spaces facilitate children’s physical activities by providing opportunities for engagement with natural settings. However, there is a lack of empirical research examining the nexus between the greenery features and spatial quality in urban parks and park-based physical activities among children. Moreover, the influence of children’s perceptions of their environment has been overlooked. Through the application of remote sensing and field surveys, we evaluated the greening and quality of 34 play spaces within 20 urban parks, employing on-site measurements and unmanned aerial vehicle observations to identify and quantify the intensity and density of children’s physical activities. Utilizing Hierarchical Linear Modeling and Simple Mediating Modeling, we investigated the mediating effects of green spaces on physical activity and perceived environmental qualities. Our findings indicate a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped) relationship between urban park greening metrics, such as vegetation diversity and green view index, and the dosage of children’s physical activity. The interplay between the quality of space and greening level in shaping physical activity demonstrates complex dynamics of synergy and competition. The greening level of play spaces positively impacts the intensity and density of children’s physical activities and is partly moderated by perceived environmental factors, notably safety and attractiveness. These insights contribute empirical evidence and decision-making guidance for urban greening and the development of child-friendly urban spaces.