Physical and social disorder, but not tree cover, contribute to lower perceptions of safety in urban green spaces

Abstract Feeling unsafe is an important barrier to spending time in nature and therefore gaining the benefits that such experiences offer. Some research suggests that dense vegetation in green spaces can impede visibility, create hiding places for would-be offenders and reduce perceptions of safety among visitors. Drawing on data from 352 residents of a metropolitan area in Paraguay, we discovered that green space biophysical characteristics including tree cover and park size were not associated with perceptions of safety in urban green spaces. In contrast, signs of physical disorder significantly reduced perceptions of safety, although the associations were indirect and mediated by social factors. In our sample, perceived safety of green spaces did not significantly relate to frequency of visits to urban green spaces, suggesting safety must be considered alongside a suite of other factors when considering barriers, and catalysts, to spending time in nature. These results challenge a widely held assumption that dense vegetation reduces the perceived safety of green spaces, and highlight the broad implications of disorder for impeding safety and potentially limiting the use of public nature spaces.