Interest in the quality of life, wellbeing, healing, etc. has continued to grow, and combined with the improved economy and standard of living, the five-day work week that has been implemented by stages from July, 2004 has increased leisure time. The number of people who spend their leisure time doing recreational activities such as those for health, rest and amusement is ever increasing, and the demand for places, facilities, and programs for the activities is also increasing. To meet the growing demand from citizens, local autonomous governments have been planning and executing policies and projects to expand and improve spaces for recreational activities. Mountain areas in cities, easily accessible for people living in cities, provide plenty of natural resources, compared to urban parks, and meet the demand from those who want to experience the nature more frequently and have needs for healthier life. They also provide connectivity with other landscape elements as a key element of urban landscape (Shin et al., 2010).

Seonhaksan and Bibongsan, mountains located in the center of Jinju City, Gyeongnam, Korea, have been used as spaces for various recreational activities including light hiking. However, such areas have been relatively often excluded from projects for parks and green spaces due to their lower accessibility, and limitations to the development of mostly privately-owned lands. Jinju City had created small-scale exercise areas in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan mountains by 2004, and continues to add and improve new facilities for sports and recreation, and to built stairs in the existing hiking trails. The efforts have shown some positive results. Many countries in Europe have also utilized urban forests as a forest for recreation for citizens to experience the nature and take a rest, such as Grünwald in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Wienerwald in Vienna, Austria, and Sihlwald in Zurich, Swiss (Lee et al., 2008). It is necessary to improve Seonhaksan and Bibongsan as urban forests that can meet the needs of citizens for recreational activities for health, rest and amusement.

Earlier studies on urban forests can be divided into three groups: first, those on the creation and preservation of urban forests, second, those on the benefits of urban forests, and third, those on the use of urban forests (Shin et al., 2010). Park (1991) measured the satisfaction level of users on Daesin Natural Park in Busan and analyzed the cause-and-effect relationship of recreational activities, and Kim and Huh (1992) conducted surveys on the behavioral characteristics of the users of 5 forests in Jeonju, and the satisfaction level of the users on the maintenance status. In regard of urban forests in Jinju, Gyeongnam, Heo et al. (2015) surveyed the recognition of citizens on the restoration and use of the damaged forest of Bibongsan, and Heo et al. (2016) analyzed the recognition and preference of local residents on plans for natural forests for recreation in suburb areas focusing on the plan for Worasan.

This study was conducted to analyze the behaviors and satisfaction level of users on urban forests in Jinju, Gyeongnam, in line with studies on the improvement of urban forests to fulfill the needs of citizens for recreation. To do so, this study selected Seonhaksan and Bibongsan, mountains located in the center of Jinju City, Gyeongnam, as a subject, and analyzed changes in the frequency of use, the behaviors and satisfaction of users on projects for parks and green spaces implemented by local autonomous governments from 2004 to 2016.

The number of daily users of Seonhaksan was 244 during weekdays and 159 during weekends in 2004, and 463 during weekdays and 408 during weekends in 2016, and the number in 2016 increased by 1.9 times during weekdays, and by 2.6 times during weekends compared to 2004 (Fig. 2). In terms of the gender of the daily users of Seonhaksan, males and females accounted for 43% and 57% respectively during weekdays in 2004, and 52% and 48% respectively during weekends. In 2016, males and females accounted for 46% and 54% respectively during weekdays, and 49% and 51% respectively during weekends. The percentage of males during weekdays in 2016 increased by 3% compared to that in 2004, and the percentage of females during weekends in 2016 increased by 3% compared to that in 2004. The number of daily users of Bibongsan was 102 during weekdays and 71 during weekends in 2004, and 210 during weekdays and 201 during weekends in 2016, and the number in 2016 increased by 2.1 times during weekdays, and by 2.8 times during weekends compared to the number in 2004 (Fig. 3). In terms of the gender of the daily users of Bibongsan, males and females accounted for 46% and 54% respectively during weekdays, and 55% and 45% during weekends in 2004, and 59% and 41% respectively during weekends, and 59% and 41% during weekends in 2016. The percentage of males during weekdays in 2016 increased by 13% compared to that in 2004, and the percentage of males during weekends in 2016 increased by 4% compared to that in 2004. The results indicate that the five-day work week and the shortened work hours (Yi and Kim, 2015), or the improved quality of recreation in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan increased the total number of visitors during weekdays in 2016 by about 2 times compared to that in 2004, and by 2.5 times during weekends. The number of males increased more than that of females.

The distribution of daily users both in 2004 and 2016, regardless of weekdays or weekends, was high between 6am and 10am. The distribution of daily users in 2004 showed some difference between weekdays and weekends, but that in 2016 did not show any significant difference between weekdays and weekends. The results indicate that the behaviors of users during weekdays and weekends in 2016 were relatively similar or identical, compared to those in 2004. The percentage of females was higher in the morning both in 2004 and 2016, and that of males was higher in the afternoon, which is attributable to the housekeeping activity of females or safety issues at night.

In terms of the gender of the respondents, males accounted for 60.7% in 2004, and 37.2% in 2017 (Table 3). The results are not coincident with those of the observation survey on the distribution of daily users shown in Fig. 1 and 2. The results of a study on urban parks in Busan (Park, 1991) showed that males accounted for approximately 49.0%, and the share of males in a study on natural recreational forests and urban forests in Gyeongnam areas (Lee, 2012) was 47%, and that of studies of Heo et al. (2016) and Kim and Huh (2016) was about 60%. These results indicate that the closer the recreational spaces are to the center of cities, and the more accessible they are, the number of female visitors or respondents increases.

The share of the respondents aged between 41 and 60 in 2004 was 41.3%, and that of those aged over 60, 30.0%. That of those aged between 41 and 60 in 2017 was 40.5%, and that of those aged over 60, 47.3%. Earlier studies conducted on national parks and natural recreational forests (Cho, 2007; Cho, 2012; Lee, 2012) found that the share of respondents in their 30s and 50s was high, and the results of a study on urban forests (Heo et al., 2016) showed that the share of those in their 20s was high. Compared to these results, the share of elderly respondents in this study was relatively high in 2004, and that of elderly respondents increased more in 2017. These results are attributable to the fact that Seonhaksan and Bibongsan are located in the center of city unlike national parks and natural recreational forests, which makes elderly users visit in a relatively convenient way, and, in the mean time, they can be also attributable to the aging population in Jinju.

The share of the respondents who answered that the distance between their residence and the entrance of the entrance of the hiking trail is less than 1,000 m was 69.1% in 2004, and 43.2% in 2017, which indicates that the share of visitors who live 1 km or further away from the mountains in 2017 increased compared to that in 2004. These results indicate that the accessibility to and the quality of recreational activities in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan have been improved by the projects for parks and green spaces listed in Table 1.

The mean value of hiking and walking trails among the goals of visits decreased from 4.50 in 2004 to 4.03 in 2017, showing a statistically significant difference. There was no statistically significant difference in the share of physical activity related to hobby between 2004 and 2017, but that of outdoor learning, and forest bathing and recreation with family increased from².08 to 2.65, and from².95 to 3.30 respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (Table 4). Although the mean value of outdoor learning was lower than 3.00, and that of forest bathing and recreation with family, slightly higher than 3.00, the results still indicate that the environment for the two types of goals in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan was improved, or that the interest and needs of visitors increased. In overall, the goals of visits have shifted from routine activities such as hiking or walking trails to various recreational activities.

In terms of the means of transportation, the mean value of walking decreased from 4.55 in 2004 to 3.79 to 2017, showing a statistically significant difference, and that of bicycling and driving increased from 1.52 in 2004 to 2.53 in 2017, and from 1.57 to 3.04 respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (Table 4). As shown in Table 3, the number of visitors from remote places in 2017 increased compared to that in 2004, and the accessibility to the mountains was increased by improving facilities such as parking lots and bicycle racks.

In terms of the number of visits, the share of “everyday” was highest (62.4%) in 2004, and that of “2 or 3 times a week” was highest 31.5% in 2017 (Table 5). In terms of the duration of visit, the share of “1-2 hours” was highest both in 2004 (49.3%) and 2017 (44.0%) (Table 5). The number of visits and the duration of visit in 2017 were relatively lower than those in 2004, which shows changes in the behaviors of users such as the increasing number of visitors from remote places (Table 3), and the diversified goals of visits (Table 4).

In terms of inconveniences of trails and exercise facilities, the mean value of “the trail is narrow,” “nearby forest maintenance is needed,” and “improvement of surrounding facilities and signs is needed” decreased statistically significantly in 2017, compared to 2004, which indicates that the level of inconveniences has been relatively reduced (Table 6). The answer of “I feel inconvenient to use the trails” decreased from².99 in 2004 to 2.77 in 2017, but did not show a statistically significant difference. The mean value is less than 3.00, which can be interpreted that visitors do not feel inconvenient to use trails. The answers such as “the exercise ground is too small,” “the surface of the exercise ground is uncomfortable (slippery, rugged, etc.),” “there are too few kinds of exercise facilities,” “the exercise facilities are worn out,” “improvement of facilities is needed (sound, lighting, etc.),” and “I feel inconvenient to use the exercise ground or related facilities,” showed a statistically significant decrease in 2017, compared to 2004, which indicates that the inconveniences of exercise facilities have been reduced. However, the mean value of the answers, but for “the surface of the exercise ground is uncomfortable (slippery, rugged, etc.),”and “I feel inconvenient to use the exercise ground or related facilities,” was still higher than 3.00, which means that visitors still felt inconvenient. These results indicate that the projects for parks and green spaces listed in Table 1 reduced inconveniences of hiking trails and exercise facilities in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan mountains. However, the mean value of most of the answers was still higher than 3.00, and thus it is necessary to execute additional and target-oriented projects for parks and green spaces focusing on hiking trails and exercise facilities.

In terms of the necessity of outdoor learning facilities and programs, the mean value of “information of forest and trees, such as tree name tags and signs, is required,” “information of natural resources such as insects, birds, and animals is needed,” “it is necessary to create separate educational places such as gardens,” “it is necessary to create educational facilities such as forest classroom,” “forest programs such as forest library operation are needed,” and “proper spaces for outdoor learning are needed” did not show any statistically significant difference between 2004 and 2017 (Table 7). As earlier studies of Park et al. (2002), Connell and Meyer (2004), Ballantyne et al. (2008), Kim et al. (2010), and Park et al. (2013) found that the share of learning out of the goals of visits to natural recreational forests and botanical gardens was very low, the mean value of outdoor learning in this study was also lower than 3.0 both in 2004 and 2017 (Table 4). The results show that the interest and needs of elderly people, taking up the majority of visitors (Table 3), for outdoor learning are relatively low, and that there has been no significant change in their recognition. They are also attributable to the fact that outdoor learning facilities and programs have been relatively less improved, or that their recognition on the necessity of such facilities and programs has not changed yet.

In terms of the necessity of family recreational facilities, the mean value of “resting facilities are needed such as forest bath seats and decks,” “a little rest space for the family is needed,” and “it is necessary to create some spaces for recreation such as forest bath,” showed a statistically significant decrease in 2017, compared to 2004, and that of “a place to rest quietly is needed” tended to decrease (Table 8). The results show that family recreational facilities have been relatively improved, and thus that the needs for them have been fulfilled. In other words, as earlier studies of Lee and Kim (2001), Kim and Noh (2011), Lee (2012), Park et al. (2013), Heo et al. (2016) found that visitors tended to put a high priority on taking a rest with family out of the goals of visits to natural recreational forests, the mean value of forest bathing and recreation with family in this study was second highest (2.95 in 2014, 3.30 in 2017), after hiking and walking trails (Table 4). After the projects for parks and green spaces listed in Table 1 had been implemented to meet such a high interest in and needs for them, facilities for forest bathing and recreation with family in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan have been also improved.

Local autonomous governments have been implementing various projects for parks and green spaces to expand and improve spaces for recreational facilities. Urban forests are relatively easily accessible and have plenty of natural resources, providing pleasant recreational spaces. In this regard, this study, in line with studies on the improvement of urban forests, was conducted to analyze the frequency of use and the behaviors and satisfaction level of visitors to Seonhaksan and Bibongsan, mountains located in the center of Jinju City, Gyeongnam, from 2004 to 2016, and thus to examine the effects of the projects for parks and green spaces that had been implemented by Jinju City. The projects have been executed to develop parks and green spaces in 7 mountains in Jinju, and most were concentrated in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan. The planned budget for the projects was approximately 18 billion won, and around 9.5 billion won, 52% of the total budget, was spent to compensate for obstacles such as graves and to buy privately-owned lands. An observation survey was conducted to count the number of daily users from 2004 to 2017, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to examine the behaviors and satisfaction level of users from 2004 to 2017. The collected data were statistically analyzed using frequency analysis and the independent samples t-test. The total number of users in 2016 increased by 2 times during weekdays, and by over 2.5 times during weekends compared to that in 2004. The number of male visitors increased more than that of female visitors. The share of elderly visitors relatively increased, and the number of visitors who live 1km or further away from the mountains also increased. The goals of visits shifted from routine activities such as hiking or walking trails to various recreational activities, and the share of visitors who came to the mountains by driving increased. The number of visits and the duration of visit decreased. Inconveniences of hiking trails and exercise facilities showed a statistically significant decrease, and facilities for family recreational facilities were improved. However, the recognition on the necessity of outdoor learning facilities and programs did not increase.

Given the results of this study, it can be concluded that the projects for parks and green spaces that had been implemented by Jinju City by 2016 have improved the quality of recreation in Seonhaksan and Bibongsan, and, in detail, the satisfaction level of users has been significantly improved in 2017 compared to that in 2004. However, the level still remains at a normal level, and thus it will be necessary to execute additional target-oriented projects of parks and green spaces. Specifically speaking, it is necessary to develop plans to preserve natural resources and properly operate and manage facilities in order to meet the growing number of users and their needs. In addition, it is needed to develop measures to promote the use of females and people in younger age groups, and to expand convenient facilities for visitors who come from remote places. Plans to introduce various facilities and programs other than hiking and walking trails need to be developed by analyzing the needs of users for recreational facilities. In order to increase the number of visits and the duration of visit, it will be also necessary to develop and operate family recreational facilities, and outdoor learning facilities and programs.