Integrating BWM and modified VIKOR for age-friendly community park assessment in the context of mental health

Background: Late-life depression is a growing public health challenge in aging societies. Community parks are increasingly recognized as protective environments, yet evidence on which specific attributes most effectively alleviate depression among older adults remains limited. Methods: This study proposed a hybrid framework combining the Best-Worst Method (BWM) and a Modified VIKOR approach. Eight criteria (Access points, Pathways, Facilities for different activities, Open space, Amenities, Natural features, Sunlight, Incivilities) were identified through literature review. Twenty-three experts conducted BWM pairwise comparisons, with 13 valid responses retained after consistency checks. Nine community parks in Zhuhai, China, were then evaluated using gap scores and ranked via Modified VIKOR. Results: The evaluation revealed that open space (16.26%), facilities for different activities (14.27%), and public amenities (13.50%) were the most influential in reducing depression risk. Rankings showed notable disparities among the nine parks. Improvement priorities focused on expanding spaces for exercise and social interaction, upgrading seating, lighting, and waste facilities, and gradually enhancing vegetation and environmental order. Access and pathway conditions were generally adequate, requiring only localized adjustments. Conclusion: Community park environments contribute to late-life depression alleviation through differentiated mechanisms. The BWM-Modified VIKOR framework provides an evidence-based tool for prioritizing age-friendly park renovations under limited resources. Priority should be given to upgrading activity facilities, open spaces, and amenities.