Adaptation and Application of Micro-Simulation Modeling to Recreational Use of Parks and Public Lands

The University of Vermont\u2019s (UVM) Park Studies Laboratory (PSL) and Applied Trails Research (ATR) undertook a program of cooperative research with the purpose of building foundational transportation research expertise using advanced technologies for integrated transportation and land use modeling to examine the complex systems linking and supporting the sustainability of transportation, tourism travel, and recreation in parks and on public lands. The development of this expertise will allow UVM to help satisfy the large and growing needs of transportation and recreation researchers and managers for state of the art simulation modeling. Building foundational expertise in transportation and recreation simulation modeling require researchers from the PSL and ATR to work closely in all phases of the work from planning, through execution, to communication of findings and lessons learned. Simulation modeling efforts undertaken as part of this collaboration identified, tested, and optimized indicators of quality for both transportation and recreation systems and opportunities. That is, simulation models were designed and operated to examine both the functional and experiential qualities of transportation and recreation facilities and operations representative of parks and public lands

Perceived Impacts of Outdoor Recreation on The Summit of Cascade Mountain, New York

This study explored visitor perceptions of environmental and social impacts of outdoor recreation on the summit of Cascade Mountain in the High Peaks Wilderness Complex of the Adirondack Park. Data were collected during the summer and fall of 2008 through an on-site survey of a representative sample of visitors (N = 198; 88% response rate). Only half of visitors reported noticing environmental impacts of recreation even though these impacts were extensive. However, most visitors reported some Level of perceived crowding. Prior experience at Cascade was positively related to perceptions of environmental impacts, but did not affect perceived crowding. More intensive management of Cascade is probably warranted to reduce environmental and social impacts of outdoor recreation and this might most effectively be done in the context of a management-by-objectives framework