Pedestrians^|^rsquo; Consciousness and Willingness to Participate toward Horticultural Volunteer Activities in Atsugi City

Recently, there are many citizens’ volunteer groups taking care of flower beds in their neighboring parks. In this study, we conducted a written survey with questionnaire asking the neighbor pedestrians passing around their neighboring parks -- how they feel about the horticultural volunteer activities. We also examined the willingness to participate in the activities while the populations of each volunteer group members are gradually decreasing because of the aging society. We found that the neighbor pedestrians take the horticultural volunteer activities positively, especially creating comfort and beautiful spaces by planting flowers. We also found out the following three major reasons (or motivations) which prompted them to participate in horticultural volunteer activities; (1) the local residents who pay attention to the flower beds in the parks were tempted to join the activities;(2) residents -- who recognized the existence of volunteers -- are inclined to join the activities; and (3) residents -- who are highly motivated to participate in community activities -- were also willing to join these activities.