Relationships between recreational experiences and behavioral settings in metroparks.

Abstract

This research examines relationships between recreation experiences, (i.e. what outcomes park users expect from their participation in recreation activities) and the behavioral settings (i.e. areas of the park) where users engage in these activities. The study explores experiences users seek in three metroparks near Ann Arbor, Michigan. It also attempts to predict experiences from the particular layout of the physical attributes of behavioral settings. Based on observations, 14 behavioral settings, representing areas of the parks where activities were distinctively different, were identified in the three metroparks. It was hypothesized that the recreation experiences would differ among users in different settings. Three hundred and seventy seven interviews were conducted with a quota sample of park users. Respondents were asked about their activities in the park and to rate the importance of 35 recreational experiences. A model was developed to predict how people in each setting would rate the importance of two type of experiences--Social and Escape-to-Nature Experiences. Data covering the 35 experiences were reduced to ten major experiences people gained from recreating in the metroparks. The most important experiences were "Social", "Attractiveness of Nature", and "Escaping Pressure". Experiences array on a continuum ranging from "Escaping Pressure" on one end to "Social" on the other. Different combinations of recreation experiences were found to be important to users in different settings. Experiences also differed depending on the type and size of the user group. No relationships were found between experiences and individual characteristics of users. It was also found that the model successfully predicted the relative magnitude of two experiences (Escape-to-Nature and Social Experiences). The predictive model can be used to assess the potential of existing parks and recreation areas to support the experiences park visitors seek. The information can also be used by potential recreationists in selecting recreation sites suitable to their interests and experiential preferences. Finally, characteristics of l and scape features (tree density, access to water, distance to parking, terrain, etc.) that maximize Escape-to-Nature and Social Experiences are suggested.