Unveiling disparities: a social media analysis of urban park usage and sentiments in Oklahoma City

Urban parks play a crucial role in supporting physical activities, promoting human well-being, and contributing to overall physical and mental health. However, there is often unequal access to these parks in metropolitan areas, and the quality of parks can vary, especially in middle-sized cities like Oklahoma City (OKC), where this inequality is not extensively studied. Common metrics for assessing public perspective and satisfaction with parks include park usage and sentiments. In our study, we utilized 4,531 Google Map reviews to demonstrate public ratings and sentiments regarding 94 local urban parks in OKC, aiming to identify potential drivers behind these evaluations. Additionally, we explored and compared public opinions and perceptions of parks catering to different socioeconomic levels. Our findings revealed that the diversity and quantity of park amenities and facilities significantly influence subjective ratings and qualitative sentiments derived from Google Maps reviews of local urban parks in OKC. Moreover, we observed that people discussed various topics and aspects related to parks in different income areas. However, there was a consistent focus on children’s playing environments and physical activity/recreation facilities across all discussions, such as playground and splash pads. These findings could be valuable for enhancing the design and amenities of local urban parks, ensuring they better meet the diverse needs of the community.