| This study evaluates the perceptions and opinions of site users for sustainable, urban green space design priorities, as defined in recent academic publications. For investigating, analyzing and prioritizing the lay interpretation of sustainable, urban green space, a tool was developed and applied. Local knowledge was gathered via on-site survey and incorporated by means of a mixed analysis. Analysis of results generated a set of sustainable, urban green space design priorities. Findings indicate that a consistent interpretation of sustainability that is primarily socio-ecologic and integrative in nature prevails among the user group of the Alf Hales Memorial Trail and John Galt Park Guelph, Ontario study site. Survey respondents prioritized Ecologic and Participative themes highly; Cognitive and Equitable themes moderately; and Economic and Sensorial as the lowest priority. Design strategies that are relevant and meaningful to users, who interact with the landscape, will enhance urban green space as valuable community resources now and for the future, and in this way, may be considered sustainable. The process of investigation may be applied to other similarly situated sites in southwestern Ontario. |
