Effects of Visitor Characteristics on Perceptions of Crowding, Conflict and Normative Standards

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate visitors’ perceptions of encounters, crowding, conflict and satisfaction during recreation experiences on the White Salmon River in Southern Washington. The study also intended to measure visitors’ normative standards for acceptable levels of encounters and waiting times on the river. Previous studies of this site suggest that visitor perceptions of crowding on the river have increased consistently over the past 30 years, prompting managers’ concerns regarding the experience of river visitors. In order to better understand the visitor experience, characteristics of whitewater rafters and kayakers were examined in relation to their normative standards and perceptions of crowding and conflict on the river. Analysis of the data indicates significant differences in perceptions of crowding and conflict when compared with visitors’ characteristics, including motivations, past experiences, preferences and group type

Outdoor Recreation Participation of Pennsylvanians with Disabilities

Abstract Approximately 16% of United States residents report having some sort of physical disability that limits their recreation participation. Many of these individuals may have an abundance of free time due to unemployment, part-time work status, or retirement, and therefore recreation and leisure have the potential to provide great meaning in their lives. Qualitative and quantitative data from a State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan was used to better understand the outdoor recreation habits and perceptions of Pennsylvania residents with disabilities. Using descriptive, chi square, and ANOVA statistics, results indicate that these individuals perceive fewer benefits from outdoor activities, experience different types of constraints to participation, and have different perceptions of accessibility compared to individuals without disabilities. Results of this data analysis provide a better understanding of the perceptions that Pennsylvanians with disabilities have regarding future outdoor recreation participation, benefits of participation, and accommodations to facilitate participation

A Modified Importance-Performance Framework for Evaluating Recreation-Based Experiential Learning Programs

This article describes a modified importance-performance framework for use in evaluation of recreation-based experiential learning programs. Importance-performance analysis (IPA) provides an effective and readily applicable means of evaluating many programs, but the near universal satisfaction associated with recreation inhibits the use of IPA in this area. Two specific modifications to the traditional IPA framework are proposed: (a) a reorganized matrix and (b) the inclusion of statistical variance. Sample data from a recreation-based experiential learning program are used to illustrate both the traditional and modified frameworks. Suggestions for Extension evaluators are provided

A Comparison of Residential and Visitor Attitudes Toward Experiential Impacts, Environmental Conditions and Management Strategies on the Delaware Inland Bays

This paper compares different attitudes toward experiential impacts on boating, environmental conditions, and proposed management strategies held by permanent residents, seasonal residents and seasonal visitors to the Delaware Inland Bays. The study found variation in opinions held by each group indicating the tourism manager should collect information from all groups before developing policy. Additionally, the manager should understand the varying impacts on boater satisfaction depending upon conditions

Public Response to Park and Recreation Funding and Cost-saving Strategies: The Role of Organizational Trust and Committment

Historically, public park and recreation services have been funded through general funds and appropriations, with minimal amounts derived from non-tax revenue sources. The fiscal conservative movement, however, has spawned an expansion of nontax revenues and cost saving strategies. Th is study examines the level of citizen support for a variety of funding and cost-saving strategies for park and recreation agencies in a metropolitan region, and the factors related to citizens’ opinions about such strategies. Data were collected through a mail survey of adult residents of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania region. A total of 578 questionnaires were completed. Results showed that funding strategies involving external contributions such as donations and corporate sponsorships were most strongly supported by the local citizenry. Respondents were least supportive of park services privatization and the use of park entrance fees. Regression analysis was used to test the relationships between citizen socio-demographic characteristics, park use patterns, organizational trust and commitment, and level of support for the various strategies. Organizational trust, commitment, and citizen characteristics were signifi cantly related to a number of funding strategies. While prior research has examined the role of trust and commitment in the implementation of enterprise funding strategies (e.g. user fees), our data indicates that trust and commitment were more salient for general tax support than for other, more transactional funding strategies, such as user fees and corporate sponsorships. Respondents who perceived that their local park agencies were socially competent and who were more committed to the agency were also more likely to support taxes and less likely to support park privatization. These results affirm that a trusting and committed citizenry is a key ingredient in preventing the erosion of tax-based support and the subsequent privatization of park and recreation services. Park and recreation administrators who wish to expand their funding beyond existing tax support should take actions to foster trust and commitment across their multiple constituent groups. Agencies that currently enjoy a high level of constituent trust and commitment should be cautious when privatizing park services, lest they compromise existing levels of trust and commitment

Understanding Hunting Constraints and Negotiation Strategies: A Typology of Female Hunters

This article examined a typology of female hunters, factors constraining participation, and negotiation strategies females used to overcome constraints. A survey of Oregon hunters was conducted in the summer of 2010 to understand hunting characteristics using the 2008 big game license database (n = 392). We created a typology of female hunters using a cluster analysis of Recreation Experience Preference items. Four clusters were identified: less-engaged, family oriented, nature-sport, and all around enthusiast. Analysis of variance revealed differences among female hunter segments. Differences existed among the four groups on both constraints and negotiation strategies. One of the notable groups was the family-oriented hunter. This type of hunter was the most likely to perceive constraints and the most likely to utilize negotiation strategies to increase their participation in hunting. Findings reveal nuanced differences between types of female hunters. These findings can assist managers with outreach strategies and facilitate future female hunting participation