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초록

The rapid growth of the elderly population has made leisure in later life an increasingly important social issue. In recent years, policies restricting games such as janggi and baduk in public parks have significantly changed how older adults use these spaces. These games once fostered social connection through shared play and routine interaction, as noted by Toepoel in 2013, and the reduction of such third places may contribute to greater isolation among seniors, according to Meehan et al. in 2023. Against this backdrop, the present study examines how the prohibition of recreational play has influenced the behavior of elderly users and reshaped the social role of public leisure spaces. To address this question, on-site observation and comparative analysis were conducted in a central park in Seoul. The research replicated and extended an earlier observation protocol in order to measure user density, activity types, and patterns of social interaction in a systematic manner. The findings reveal notable shifts in both user composition and activity following the ban. Previously, the park functioned as a third place that balanced leisure with everyday social exchange. After the policy change, however, it evolved into a more regulated and welfare-oriented environment. As a result, autonomy, openness, and diversity diminished, and informal social interaction declined. Overall, although the park continues to operate as a daily refuge, it now reflects predominantly passive rather than socially interactive use. To restore inclusivity and vitality, policy approaches should encourage light community programs and alternative forms of engagement that strengthen autonomy and foster intergenerational connection within public spaces.