Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8464-3182

Advisor

Han, SaMin

Committee Member

Summerlin, Peter

Committee Member

Li, Chuo

Committee Member

Imlay, Aimee

Date of Degree

5-15-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Landscape Architecture

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Landscape Architecture

Abstract

During COVID-19 older adults’ populations were a vulnerable demographic, and through a review of existing literature it was determined that there is limited research about park and outdoor space use during COVID-19 by older adults. This research seeks to address these gaps by examining how a pandemic impacted park usage among the older adult population (age 60+) in Memphis, TN at Shelby Farms Park. This study examines the comparison of park use during (2020-2023) and after (2023-present) COVID-19. A mixed methods approach was employed. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was run to analyze the survey data and a significant statistical difference. Additionally, four in-depth interviews were conducted with consenting participants. The study provides a deeper understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced patterns of park usage and to identify opportunities for enhancing parks to ensure they are safer for vulnerable groups like older adults from general disease transmission or a future epidemic.

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