The impact of Covid-19 restrictions on recreation and use of green space in Wales

Lead Research Organisation: Bangor University
Department Name: Sch of Natural Sciences

Abstract

The use of green spaces for recreation has acknowledged benefits for physical and mental health, to the extent of reducing mortality rates [1]. Green spaces include parks and gardens in urban areas, and the wider countryside in more rural settings. There is, however, great inequality in access to green spaces for different sections of society. People from more deprived backgrounds suffer from a lack of quality local green space, but also the means to travel to more distant green space, and use of green spaces tends to decrease with age. A key policy aim is to increase use of green spaces by all sectors of society.
Variation in people's use of green spaces remains poorly understand. The social distancing regulations implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic both restrict travel, but also emphasise the importance of exercising locally. This provides a fascinating 'natural experiment' into how the use of green spaces is affected by these regulations. In particular, do we find that different sections of society are affected differently as distant travel is discouraged, but permitted exercise increases use of local green spaces?
In January 2020, we surveyed >1000 people, obtaining a representative sample from across Wales. Data showed where, why and how people access green spaces, and the benefits they derive. Repeating this survey during the period of restricted travel and as the UK recovers from the coronavirus crisis will provide unique insight on how people benefit from natural spaces and how this was impacted by Covid-19.
1. http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-0538/POST-PN-0538.pdf
 
Description In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Governments across the world introduced restrictions on movement and activities on a massive scale. These restrictions potentially limited some people's access to natural spaces, with potentially detrimental outcomes as connection with nature has benefits for people's physical and mental health. We used social surveys to explore what affect the restrictions in Wales had on the frequencies and lengths of time people spent time in nature, the distance they travelled to spend time in nature and their day to day well-being. Our results show that younger people were more likely to say there had been an increase in the frequency, time spent and distance they travelled to natural spaces, with the opposite pattern observed for older people. Those who did not have access to a garden were more likely to say that there had been a decrease in the frequency and time spent in natural spaces, and that the restrictions had a negative effect on their wellbeing. The more important natural spaces were to a person's wellbeing, the more likely they were to have said there was an increase in frequency, time spent and distance travelled to natural spaces during of Covid-19 restrictions, despite the limitations in movement. Our results suggest that central and local governments should focus efforts on ensuring that greenspaces are provided in locations where accommodation does not provide garden access (e.g., flats); maintaining the levels of nature access for young adults (who spent more time in nature during the pandemic), and increasing the levels of greenspace access for older (who spent less time in nature during the pandemic). By increasing access to greenspace in this way, the wellbeing of the UK public would likely increase.
Exploitation Route Our results suggest that central and local governments should focus efforts on ensuring that greenspaces are provided in locations where accommodation does not provide garden access (e.g., flats); maintaining the levels of nature access for young adults (who spent more time in nature during the pandemic), and increasing the levels of greenspace access for older (who spent less time in nature during the pandemic). By increasing access to greenspace in this way, the wellbeing of the UK public would likely increase.
Sectors Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism
 
Description Our preliminary results have been presented to TAG-E - the covid advisory group for the Welsh Government.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism
Impact Types Policy & public services
 
Description Submitted evidence for: 'What has been the impact of the pandemic on parks and what should the priorities of central and local government be during the recovery?'
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/109368/pdf/
 
Description Between environmental concerns and compliance: How does media messaging affect motivation and choice between disposable versus reusable facemasks?
Amount £343,974 (GBP)
Funding ID AH/W003813/1 
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2021 
End 05/2022
 
Description Presented preliminary results to Welsh Gov TAG-E 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact We presented the preliminary results of this study to TAG-E (the Welsh gov Covid-19 advisory group) in Summer 2021. The group are interested in our final results which will be available shortly.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021