Evaluating Neighborhood Park Quality: A Synthesis of Theory and Practice through Case Studies

The paper will examine and integrate the key qualities of a good neighborhood park by conducting a thorough literature review and also use them in a practical evaluation of the Thuqbha Park located in Al Khobah, Saudi Arabia. This park has been selected because of its location in one of the busiest neighborhoods in Al Khobar city. The research, based on more than twenty peer-reviewed studies, indicates that six important quality dimensions and categories are identified, namely, accessibility and linkage, safety and security, preserving environmental elements, recreational amenities and facilities, psychological comfort, and user and activities. Those six main categories were operationalized by the use of on-site observational tests and a questionnaire survey. The analysis shows that Thuqbha Park has a positive attribute of social activity and simple facilities, but it does not have a variety of vegetation, inclusive design, and environmental comfort. The paper ends with practical suggestions on how to advance the quality of neighborhood parks in swiftly developed areas with a focus on the user-oriented design, the inclusive planning, and the ongoing monitoring. The study will help the researcher with a scalable model of evaluating and improving the open spaces of the population, specifically in the Saudi environment.