The Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) represents a major national effort to enhance environmental sustainability and urban livability in Saudi Arabia. Despite its ambitious targets, limited empirical research has evaluated its spatial performance and social impacts. This study assesses the progress of SGI implementation in Riyadh by examining the spatial distribution, accessibility, and equity of urban green spaces (UGS), alongside residents’ perceptions of their quality. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based spatial analysis with a structured survey of 180 residents. Spatial indicators were evaluated against the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark of 9 m² per capita and the SGI target of 28 m² per capita. The results reveal that although total green space has increased between 2018 and 2024, its distribution remains uneven, with high-density neighborhoods consistently falling below recommended standards. Survey findings indicate high satisfaction with recreational and environmental benefits, but lower satisfaction with facilities and public engagement. The study highlights that increasing total green space alone does not ensure equitable access and emphasizes the need for population-sensitive planning strategies. These findings provide practical insights for improving the spatial equity and effectiveness of urban greening initiatives and contribute to broader sustainable urban development goals.

Neighborhood parks have the potential to support urban health, social interaction, and environmental quality; however, their usability depends not only on perceived quality but also on conditions that may constrain their use. This study examines neighborhood park performance by integrating user satisfaction with park quality and perceived barriers to use across three neighborhood parks in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Park quality was assessed through six dimensions and 25 indicators derived from a thematic synthesis of the literature, while perceived barriers were examined across six categories covering environmental and climatic conditions, accessibility and mobility, safety and security, facilities and services, maintenance and environmental quality, and social and personal conditions. Field observations and surveys of 327 existing park users supported an exploratory comparison of quality satisfaction and perceived barriers; non-users were not represented. Results showed that Al Thuqba exhibited the greatest quality deficiencies and strongest overall barriers, while Al Rakah and Al Safa generally performed better. Environmental and climatic conditions emerged as the most prominent barriers across all three parks, particularly extreme heat and insufficient shade. At Al Thuqba, lower park-level satisfaction means for environmental quality, safety and recreational facilities occurred alongside higher perceived-barrier means. Climatic barriers remained prominent at Al Rakah and Al Safa despite comparatively positive quality evaluations. These aggregate patterns suggest site-specific assessment priorities; they do not establish individual-level relationships or effects on visitation. The combined assessment provides complementary descriptive evidence for planning the three parks and warrants testing in other settings.