Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: In the age of nationwide leisure, planning sports parks in Yunnan Province faces challenges in aligning with local characteristics and meeting visitor experience expectations. To address this issue, the study used the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) theory to develop an evaluation system customized to Yunnan’s regional context for assessing the recreational environment of sports parks. The goal is to support their targeted transformation from “single-purpose sports venues” into “multifunctional recreational spaces”. Study Design/Methodology/Approach: This research employed an integrated approach that combined literature analysis, expert consultation, and field research to construct an evaluation framework comprising three criterion layers and 18 specific indicators. Using systematic on-site data collection, cluster analysis was used to categorize the cases into three distinct groups, followed by a comprehensive summary of the characteristics and challenges associated with each type. Findings: A system for evaluating the recreational environment of sports parks in Yunnan was developed, classifying them into three types: riverside, suburban, and urban. Corresponding “recreation opportunity profiles” and “existing problem inventories” were developed. The results revealed that each park type has unique characteristics and shortcomings in ecological features, activity offerings, facility provision, and cultural integration, offering an empirical foundation for targeted optimization strategies. Originality/Value: Theoretically, this study extended the application of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) framework in the multi-ethnic regions of Southwest China and established the first sports park evaluation system tailored to Yunnan’s specific context. In practice, the proposed ROS-based tool and dual-list approach provide actionable diagnostic methods and differentiated management strategies, thereby enhancing park distinctiveness and improving the quality of public recreational experiences.
Authors: Zhou, Cuiyun, Nie, Zhenxin
Institution: Krirk University
Language: Chinese
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215587265