Municipal stakeholders’ perceptions of the importance and outcomes of multi-sector recreation partnerships

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research Question: Recreation partnerships, often characterized by the pooling, exchange, or sharing of resources, information, capabilities, or initiatives, may help communities to more effectively address complex problems and deliver recreation services. Despite the attention given to recreation partnerships as a management strategy, little research has focused on how various community stakeholders perceive partnerships. This study sought to address this gap. Methods: This quantitative study (n=161) in the U.S. analyzed perceptions of partnership importance and outcomes among a state-wide sample of municipal stakeholders including recreation leaders, conservation commissioners, elected officials, and town administrators. Results and Findings: All stakeholders placed high importance on municipal partnerships for recreation, but perceptions of importance for education, business, health/human services, outdoor, and voluntary community group partnerships differed significantly by stakeholder group. All stakeholders generally recognized positive partnership outcomes, although recreation leaders rated improvement of services higher than elected officials. Implications: Differences in perceptions of importance and outcomes of recreation partnerships by stakeholder groups suggest a need for recreation leaders to more effectively communicate strategies for effective partnerships as well as positive outcomes of partnerships to other stakeholders. Research Contribution: Through the framework of stakeholder theory, this paper provides evidence of municipal stakeholders’ perceptions of partnerships.