Urban Parks: Volunteers and Civic Engagement

2 pp., 7 photosWhen citizens are engaged with urban park and recreation departments, everyone benefits. This publication describes successful programs that involve community volunteers, and explains what managers can do to engage citizens in such programs

National Park Service Visitation and Search Behavior: An Update to 2010

Abstract This purpose of this paper was to examine and update recent findings that proposes that national park visitation is on the decline and to propose other methods for examining the interest in national parks through online searches related to travel intentions. Data from a large, national syndicated secondary dataset were examined by individual participation data collected on an annual basis over the period of 2000-2010. In addition, inquiry data from Google Insights™ for vacation travel to national and state parks was also used as a proxy measure to determine if interest had declined. While there was evidence of some decline in visitation to national parks from 2000-2010, most of the decline was limited to the period of 2000-2004; however, there was also a rebound in interest from 2004 through 2010 with the exception of 2008. The decline does not appear to be dramatic. The decline is not related to a decrease in the market size of individuals interested in national parks but rather a volume issue. The volume issue suggests that the base market of people interested in national parks still exists, but the base market is making fewer visits per visitor to national parks. Additional insights into visitation based on media use (e.g., watching tv and internet use) based on volume segments were explored. There was some indication of decline of interest in visiting national parks during vacation travel through the analysis of Google Insights™ search behavior; however, this decline has been cyclical, not overly dramatic, and appears to reflect the changes in visitation noted here through the national syndicated dataset findings. Interest may also have shifted to other outdoor pursuits and interests via an increase in more choices. Interest in state parks appeared to also be seasonal; but no dramatic decline in the interest in state parks was noted based on Internet searches and Google Insights™ analysis

National Park Service Visitation and Interest: An Update Through 2009

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to examine and refute suggestions in the literature that national park visitation is on the decline. Data from a large annual national syndicated secondary dataset were examined for 2000-2009. In addition, data from Google Insights™ related to internet searches about national park vacation travel were also used as a proxy measure to determine if interest in outdoor recreation visitation to national parks had declined. While there was evidence of some decline in visitation to national parks from 2000-2009, most of the decline occurred from 2000-2004 and there was a rebound in interest from 2004 through 2009 with the exception of a dip in 2008. Data from internet search engine queries about national parks also provided insights into visitation interest. There was some decline in interest in visiting national parks for vacation travel based on search engine inquiries; however, this decline has been cyclical and is not dramatic

Digital Orthopaedics: A Glimpse Into the Future in the Midst of a Pandemic.

BackgroundThe response to COVID-19 catalyzed the adoption and integration of digital health tools into the health care delivery model for musculoskeletal patients. The change, suspension, or relaxation of Medicare and federal guidelines enabled the rapid implementation of these technologies. The expansion of payment models for virtual care facilitated its rapid adoption. The authors aim to provide several examples of digital health solutions utilized to manage orthopedic patients during the pandemic and discuss what features of these technologies are likely to continue to provide value to patients and clinicians following its resolution.ConclusionThe widespread adoption of new technologies enabling providers to care for patients remotely has the potential to permanently change the expectations of all stakeholders about the way care is provided in orthopedics. The new era of Digital Orthopaedics will see a gradual and nondisruptive integration of technologies that support the patient's journey through the successful management of their musculoskeletal disease

Examining the motivation and involvement of Chinese rock climbers

The purpose of this research was to investigate the motivations and involvement of Chinese rock climbers. Rock climbing has experienced considerable growth in many regions of China over the last decade, yet there is little published research on this outdoor recreation user group. A questionnaire was distributed on-site in Yangshuo, China in 2010 (n=256). A profile of the respondents showed a male-dominated sample with mean age of 31 years and active in indoor and outdoor sports climbing. Factor analysis of motivational items resulted in five dimensions: stress release & escape, achievement, experience nature & develop knowledge, experience adventure, and interaction with peers. Results for the involvement items yielded three factors: attraction, risk consequence and sign. The involvement factors were positively influenced by several of the motivational factors. The findings provide baseline information in understanding more about rock climbers which will prompt theoretical research and provide practical applications for this growing outdoor activity in China

Outdoor Recreation Participation Trends in Texas

5 pp., 3 tables, 9 photosOutdoor recreation is a popular pastime in Texas. This publication reports on the participation and trends in outdoor recreation in the U.S. and Texas revealed in the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment conducted by the U.S. Forest Service

Return to Current Issue Keeping our Charm: Residents, Growth, and Quality of Life Issues in a Small but Growing Texas Coastal Community

Abstract: The study reported here assessed residents ' perception of small, fast-growing coastal community on issues of quality of life, conservation, and growth. Data for the study were collected from an on-site survey in Aransas County, Texas from 2006 to 2007. Results show that the residents are concerned about preserving their natural resources, maintaining a small town atmosphere in their community, and ensuring citizens ' involvement in future planning efforts, especially with tourism. The implications of the study are discussed for Extension professionals and residents, suggestions for future research are provided. In many parts of the United States, coastal regions and their communities are being transformed in response to population growth, urbanization, and tourism. Tourism development and growth provide economic 1/13 Keeping our Charm: Residents, Growth, and Quality of Life Issues in a Small but Growing Texas 01/27/09 Coastal 11:01:17 Community opportunities for local residents and businesses but may potentially have negative effects, including reduced open space, traffic congestion, loss of community identity, and displacement of residences (Freudenburg, Bacigalupi, & Young, 1982; Salamon, 2003). Consequently, local government and community leaders must become more aware of residents ' concerns and attitudes to balance economic development and tourism with overall quality of life and environmental conservation. In this article, we report on the results of a study examining residents ' attitudes toward growth and quality o

A spatial relationship between the distribution patterns of hotels and amenities in the United States

Amenities are recognized as an important factor for hospitality and tourism development. While previous studies have primarily focused on natural amenities, this research considers both natural and constructed amenities based on Clark’s amenity concept. This study explored how and which amenities were related to the spatial distribution patterns of hotels in the United States. Exploratory spatial statistical techniques were employed in this research. The findings suggest that hotels are not randomly distributed across the country. As the Moran’s I statistic demonstrates, hotels tend to be regionally clustered. While this study statistically confirms the importance of natural amenities in the spatial distribution patterns of hotels using bivariate local indicators of spatial association tests, it also reveals a stronger spatial relationship between constructed amenities and the spatial distribution patterns of US hotels compared with natural amenities