Abstract: Reasonable green space vegetation construction and management is an effective way to increase urban water storage capacity and reduce urban waterlog.Eight urban green space locations characterized by different vegetation types in the Wuhan city were selected to collect the surface soil samples. The effects of green space vegetation types on water infiltration rate and water retention capacity of surface soils were quantified by measuring the soil physiochemical properties and hydraulic parameters.Furthermore, the relationships between the physiochemical properties and hydraulic parameters were analyzed. The results showed that significant differences of soil water infiltration rate and retention capacity were observed among the eight urban green space locations.The highest infiltration rate was observed in the natural camphor forest, magnolia garden, osmanthusfragrans garden, and peony garden（179.70-441.69 cm/d), characterized by the highest saturated hydraulic conductivity（Ks), followed by the artificial grassland(31.53-126.60 cm/d), and the lowest in sakura garden, plum garden, and peaches mixed plums garden(22.40-57.99 cm/d). The highest soil water retention capacity was observed in the natural camphor forest,characterized by the highest field water capacity(0.315-0.336 cm³/cm³) and the maximum effective water content(0.170-0.177cm³/cm³), followed by themagnolia garden,osmanthusfragrans garden, peony garden, plum garden and peaches mixed plums garden(0.241-0.289 cm³/cm³,0.144-0.182cm³/cm³), and the lowest in the sakura garden and artificial grassland(0.209-0.254 cm³/cm³,0.139-0.165 cm³/cm³).Significantly positive correlations were observed between Ks and soil total porosity/non-capillary porosity, and a significantly negative correlation between Ks and soil bulk density. The soil water retention capacity was mainly affected by the bulk density, total porosity, sand content,and clay content.The practices of planting herbaceous under the wood plants, reduce trampling, and addition soil tillage could be applied for the urban green space construction, which could improve the effects of rainfall conservation and reduce urban waterlog by enhancing the water infiltration rate and water retention capacity of surface soil.