PERCEPTION OF PEOPLE TOWARDS THE LOCAL PARKS IN NEPAL

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the perception of people towards the local parks in Lalitpur, Bhainsepati, Nepal. For this, people’s perceptions towards environmental, economic, and health factors are considered. Perceptions of people are abstract and cannot be measured directly. This study aims to measure people’s perceptions using a structured questionnaire. A total of 215 questionnaires were distributed to the respondent and only 170 respondents’ responses were received and used in this study. Using descriptive research design data were described and analyzed. A convenience sampling technique was applied to select the sample from the unknown population. Data has been analyzed and interpreted by statistical tools to find the results. The study found that people have a positive and significant attitude toward the environmental, economic, and health factors in the local parks. It has been also found that; public participation, cleanness, and proper sanitation are essential for the local parks.


INTRODUCTION
Local parks are described as specified open spaces that are often reserved for public use and are primarily dominated by plants and water (Wiweka et al., 2020). Local parks are outlined open spaces that are typically dominated by plants and water and are generally open to the public. Local parks tend to be bigger, although they can also take the form of little "pocket parks." Locally designated parks are typically referred to as parks (Soewarno et al., 2019).
In town and city areas, local parks are important for the day-to-day life of the people. People living in towns and cities do not have enough freeland area to walk and spent their spare time. The current research aims to capture the public's current perception of community parks and their benefits in the Lalitpur area, especially in Bhainsepati. Thus, it will be simple to ascertain whether a benefit has weak, moderate, or strong support from the best and most recent scientific data after reading each of the results sections for individual benefits (Upadhaya & Singh, 2023).
The study report provides some insight into certain subthemes and individual investigations, albeit this is not its main focus. For more information, we refer to the individual articles, which are all listed after each section of the results. Defra (2007) a "positive, social, and mental condition; it is not merely the absence of pain, distress, and incapacity" is how wellbeing is described. It demands that fundamental needs be satisfied, that people have a feeling of purpose, that they believe they can accomplish significant personal goals, and that they feel capable of contributing to society. Conditions that improve it include satisfying employment, healthy and beautiful surroundings, strong and inclusive communities, supportive personal connections, and good health (Wardhana, 2021).
Local peoples' attitudes and perspectives have changed recently as a result of changes in land use, particularly as a result of the expansion and intensification of arable farming and pastoralists in rangelands. This survey aims to comprehend how the neighborhood feels about the neighborhood park (Febriyanti et al., 2022). This study adds to the body of knowledge that currently exists about the advantages and users of parks, with a focus on the Lalitpur -25.
The primary objective of this research is to find out the socioeconomic impact of local parks on people's life in Lalitpur metropolitan city. Other objectives of the study are: 1. It is a great chance to build better by implementing health protocols for a healthier future and changing the landscape of future sustainable development.
Semper Park and Kencana Park, two public parks in Bogor City, a satellite city of the sprawling Jakarta region, were the subjects of this study because they were the most negatively impacted by . The purpose of this study is to investigate how park visitors view and prefer using public spaces in order to develop health protocols for public spaces in the new normal era.
Information of this study were gathered using an online questionnaire survey. 192 replies or more are examined. With an overall Cronbach alpha of 0.896, data and tools are genuine and trustworthy. The opinion of the park used before and after the LSSR was shown to be significantly different.
Though at various intensities, park usage followed a similar trajectory. This showed that people are less motivated and eager to use public parks, which makes it necessary to implement health protocols going Based onforward.
According to this study, existing parks that are thought to be relatively adequate in terms of health protocols need to be somewhat adjusted. Another finding indicated that the application of handwashing facilities, park benches spaced at least one meter apart, and lonely park benches were thought to be the most important health protocols. It was discovered that, regardless of the kind of park, visitors had the same preferences. Huang et al., (2022) stated that although user-generated content (UGC) research is still in its infancy, it has already shown promise in fields like hospitality and tourism for gathering user feedback on specific locations. UGC has been utilized in landscape architecture and urban planning to comprehend people's feelings and movement in a space, but other applications and extra functionalities are still being uncovered.
The study looked at how usergenerated content (UGC) can reveal problems with park management at the municipal level and how social media might be used in the future to connect staff from the city's parks and recreation department with visitor feedback. The study examined the spatial patterns and characteristics of the number of reviews, rating scores, and review comments on Google Maps.
According to the findings of the pilot study, the geographic and structural characteristics of the parks in Chicago show issues with distribution, financial investment priorities, patterns of park use, and user preferences for particular park aspects. The results confirmed that using user-generated online reviews as a substitute and self-reporting data source could be utilized to efficiently evaluate the natural performance and user experience of city parks and may potentially be used as an evaluation tool for managing public parks.
Lee, (2018) studied the impact of perception on park use, researchers looked at the relationship between individuals' perceptions of their areas' physical environments and park utilization.
The study's chosen neighborhoods and parks were found in South Korea's Daegu Metropolitan City's Suseong district. Multivariate logistic regression and variance analysis (Chi-square and T-test) were used to examine a total of 559 survey questions. Park users and non-users differed significantly on a total of 10 assessment items, according to an analysis of residents' perceptions of their neighborhoods' physical environments.
Park users also expressed a higher level of satisfaction with their neighborhoods' physical environments than non-users. Within a 5% level of significance. It was discovered that the variables relating to personal traits had a substantial impact on park use. Within a 5% level of significance, it was discovered that the variables relating to physical activity and health status had a substantial impact on how often people used parks.
Finally, within a 5% significance threshold, it was discovered that the variables "open space opportunity" (p0.01) and "environmental pleasantness" (p0.05) had a significant impact on park use. These variables relate to inhabitants' perceptions of the physical environment of their neighborhoods. Pokharel, (2020) examined the urban public open space made up a sizable portion of the urban landscape, and the users' view of the current administration of POS. This case study focused on how users in the Pokhara metropolitan city saw the Bhadrakali premises as a point of sale because POSs are essential for promoting well-being, beautifying cities, and improving the quality of urban life.
The usage of an exploratory and predictive research design was used, and the experiences of different visitor groups within the study region were used to examine user behavior. It concentrated on how visitors saw characteristics like the state of the surrounding open space and the location of the infrastructure facilities. Visitors' perceptions of eight independent characteristics, including accessibility, natural appeal, cultural heritage, safety, cleanliness, parking facilities, inside layout, and the surrounding environment in the study region, were scanned using a completed closed questionnaire form.
Arc GIS had been used to assist in the mapping process. The statistical analysis showed that there is a substantial statistically significant correlation between visitors' age, gender, caste, occupation, educational status, and degree of perception. The interaction between visitors and the site's current surroundings is crucial to understanding visitors' impressions and supporting the improvement of spaces by their needs. Positive visitor feedback is thought to be used to inform future space development and effective management of public open spaces, whilst negative visitor feedback is thought to allude to the unpopularity and lack of sophistication of public open spaces (Ryandono et al., 2022).
Nasution & Zahrah, (2014) POS and quality of life (QOL) in Medan, Indonesia, as well as other urban environmental problems in a developing country that influence the decline of POS quality and quantity, were investigated with the aim of establishing the relationship between them. The community's perception was acquired by gauging how satisfied its members were with the POS and QOL criteria using a 1-5 Likert scale.
The "function" component has the most influence on how individuals view POS, claims the study. The most significant factor affecting a person's physical quality of life is their "health." The study found a strong correlation between POS and physical well-being. Nichols and Freestone (2004 The perceived design of public open spaces and the degree of user happiness, however, differ drastically. As a result, the study sought to comprehend and explore how people of all ages and genders view public open spaces using five criteria: accessibility and connectivity, safety and security, comfort, and attractiveness. Mixed research methodologies were used under the convergent approaches that were adopted. Methods both qualitative and quantitative were used. The research in Amritsar concentrated on parks at the community level and in urban and rural areas. Based on user identification and sampling, semi-structured interviews, in-depth field research, and mapping, the data were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The research's findings led to better infrastructure planning and design for open spaces in accordance with the preferences of the various users. The findings showed that, in light of the city's severe space shortage, it was imperative to rethink the idea of public open spaces and make them more imaginative and alluring. Kasuma et al., (2016)  Since the 1980s, the homestay has existed in Malaysia. It has sparked potential economic activity in Malaysia's tourism industry. Sabah, one of Malaysia's states and a popular tourist destination, needs more support to grow and remain competitive as it works toward reaching Vision 2020. The study concentrated on how tourists perceived Sabah's homestay industry. To be more precise, this meant comprehending how tourists' perceptions of the elements of service quality, infrastructure, promotion, and product they had used relate to one another. Only 300 of the 319 submitted questionnaires were legitimate and usable.
According to the regression analysis's findings, there was a somewhat substantial correlation between tourists' perceptions of the infrastructure, marketing, and product of the homestay industry. It was discovered that service quality and marketing had a greater impact on tourists' satisfaction. This study offers a deeper insight into how tourists view service quality, infrastructure, marketing, and product quality.

Conceptual Framework
Based on the literature review this study is based on the following conceptual framework:

DEFINITION OF VARIABLES Environmental Factor:
Environmental factors mean the impact the public parks have on the nearby surrounding. Public parks are a measure of a city's beauty. Public parks affect different aspects of a city: Pollution levels and their mitigation, Waste management, and psychological impact on locals, are affected by the Environmental Factors of the public parks.

Economical Factor:
Revenues, advertisements, and other monetary factors fall under the economical factor of public parks. The environmental factors also are reliant upon how the public parks are commercialized. Whether a public park is constructed for the purpose of economic development or to suffice local needs also impacts the economical factor of the public parks.

Health Factor:
In the town and city areas, there will be fewer open places and crop fields. Most of the places are covered by residential and business apartments. In crowded cities, people surrounding the local park can utilize the parks as

RESULT AND DISCUSSION Test of Reliability
The degree to which a group of things are sufficiently connected to one another is measured by Cronbach's alpha. It is regarded as a scale reliability metric rather than a statistical test. Typically, alpha has a value between 0 and 1. Although only positive values make sense, alpha can very infrequently take on any value that is less than or equal to 1, including negative ones.
Alpha values less than 0.5 are typically unacceptable, especially for scales that claim to be unidimensional, even though the criteria for what constitutes a "good" alpha value are completely arbitrary. Instead, many methodologists recommend a minimum alpha value between 0.6 and 0.8 (or higher in many cases). .622 .858 Sufficient infrastructure in the park is available for jogging and exercise.
.370 .865 Proper water and sanitation facilities are available in the park.
.420 .863 A large number of people come to the park for physical activities.
.469 .862 The park has a positive influence on local people's health.
.486 .862 People feel mentally and physically safe inside local parks.
.411 .863 Park is a positive addition to society/ community.
.225 .868 The construction of parks in the nearby area is essential.
.338 .865 Other people are recommended about the present parks. .247 .867 Parks like this should be constructed in other regions and communities of urban cities.
.486 .861 Local people's participation is required for proper park management.
.427 .863 I am satisfied with the current greenery in my locality by the parks.
.522 .860 The plants in the park create religious, cultural, and traditional sentiments.
.517 .861 Note: Survey Report 2023. Table 2 shows the Cronbach's Alpha values of independent statements if an item is deleted. This helps to determine the items which will be retained and which are to be deleted for the analysis. The findings of the final column, Cronbach's Alpha if item deleted are crucial since they determine whether an item should be deleted or kept. Since all of the alpha values, in this case, are lower than 0.868, deleting any item will not boost dependability. Make the decision to keep all 27 components of the scale in the analysis. The result of Cronbach's Alpha clears that items retained in the study are reliable.

Correlation Analysis
The correlation study's goal was to ascertain the direction and strength of the association between environmental, economic, and health issues and how local parks are perceived by the general public. The association between parkrelated variables and public opinion was examined using Pearson correlation coefficients. The correlation coefficients show the size and direction of the linear link between the environment, economic factors, and survey data (Pratiwi et al., 2022) on how people perceive the neighborhood parks in Bhainsepati. The correlation between the dependent and independent variables in this study is shown in Table 3. It demonstrates that the dependent variable, people's perspective, positively correlates with all three independent variables (environmental factors, economic factors, and health factors), (r = 0.522, 0.452, & 0.499). It suggests that the local parks under this study's environmental, economic, and health considerations improve the public's impression of those parks.

Regression Analysis
Multiple linear regression analysis is a method for simulating the linear relationship between two or more variables. One of the most popular mathematical methods is this one. Regression analysis is a common approach for assessing the influence of public perception in the management sector literature. Table 4 exhibits the  regression coefficient between the  variables. N. E. Savin and K. J. White (1977) explained the Durbin-Watson Test for Serial Correlation with Large Samples or Multiple Repressors to ascertain whether or not residuals are independent, the Durbin-Watson statistic is employed. The range of values for the Durbin-Watson statistic is 0 to 4. A range of 0.50 to 2.0 is reasonable if the Durbin-Watson statistic is around 2, which indicates that the residuals are independent.
There was no autocorrelation between the independent variables in this analysis, and Durbin-Watson is 1.66, which is less than 2 and within the range of normal values. Local parks improve the environment in the community, according to Table 4, which shows that the variable environment component has a positive and significant impact. This outcome agrees with that of Nasution, A. D., & Zahrah, W. (2014). In order to clarify that local parks, have a strong impact on the economic factors of people in the Nepalese local region.
Variable economic factor has positive and significant influence. The outcome is in line with Lee, W. S. (2018). However, the health aspect has a positive and significant impact on how individuals see things.
The adjusted R 2 value in this study is 0.60, which indicates that the independent factors account for 60% of the variance in the dependent variable. To ascertain whether or not residuals are independent, the Durbin-Watson statistic is employed. The range of values for the Durbin-Watson statistic is 0 to 4.
A range score of 0.50 to 2.0 is reasonable if the Durbin-Watson statistic is around 2, which indicates that the residuals are independent. There is no autocorrelation between the independent variables in this analysis, and Durbin-Watson is 1.66, which is less than 2 and within the range of normal values. Table  4 shows that none of the variables have multicollinearity because their VIFs are all less than 5 and range from 1.50 to 1.86.

CONCLUSION
There is not enough room in the neighborhood parks for guests to come and engage in work-related activities. Local parks don't provide enough support for the growth of local businesses and other economic activities. Locals experience both psychological and physical relaxation when they visit the parks.
Any displeasure that visitors may feel owing to insufficient water and sanitary facilities is outweighed by the public health advantages of open places for sports and physical activities. The construction park is recognized by the local population. They believed that neighborhood residents should be included in the construction of parks.
The creation of parks in our society has benefited us all. This study has relevance since it identifies the overall subjectively assessed ideal visual effects of neighborhood parks, which may be used as a guide for rehabilitating current parks and developing new ones in the city. Future research directions must be built on the independent assessment and identification of certain parks belonging to distinct typologies in order to develop specific public perceptions and design criteria for these parks.
The three main health benefits of the neighborhood park were exercise, a play area, and weight management. For some parents, the playground was an essential place where their children and grandkids could engage in healthy outdoor play. More people gave varied answers in Local Park, where several cited exercise and fresh air as the key health advantages. Others claimed they were unaware of any health benefits the park offered. The participants in the survey were in agreement that Local Park promoted social benefits through contacts between locals, parents, children, and dog owners. The Park served as a gathering spot where people could mingle and get to know their classmates and street neighbors.
The outcome revealed that local parks have a good and considerable impact on the economic and health elements.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
This study examined environmental, economic, and health aspects using a set of variables. However, a lot of additional factors that could have been considered in this study were not. By incorporating additional variables into the same parks, such as social aspects, religious factors, and so on, future researchers may be interested in evaluating the findings and giving supplemental data for this study.
Research on national parks and regional parks might also be required. Only descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis and interpretation of this study, but other tools and software may be used in the future to interpret and analyze the data. This study's main objective is to examine how individuals view their local parks; a follow-up investigation might look at how people feel about parks in larger communities.