Local Recreation Research Articles

Public Perceptions of Local Parks and Recreation as an Essential Community Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Local residents are the primary stakeholder for municipal parks and recreation who have the potential to influence funding and policy through their participation, voting, and advocacy. Research has suggested that individuals are more likely to support parks and recreation and view them as essential when they perceive they provide benefits that address their own as well as broader community needs. This panel study investigated Pennsylvania residents and the extent they considered parks and recreation an essential community service during the COVID-19 pandemic. It further assessed the rationale for why parks and recreation were considered either essential or non-essential during this time period. A majority of respondents (54%) felt local parks and recreation were an essential service in their community during the pandemic based primarily on their perceived contributions to physical health, mental health and wellbeing, and the safe provision of recreation opportunities. Conversely, parks and recreation were considered non-essential when they had been closed, when individuals were unsure of what services were actually provided during the pandemic, or they were perceived as unsafe or unsanitary given the presence of COVID-19. Findings provide evidence of the contributions provided by local parks and recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest influenceable factors associated with perceptions of whether parks and recreation are an essential community service.

Monitoring visitation at North Carolina artificial reef sites using high spatiotemporal resolution PlanetScope imagery

Historically, the recreational use of reefs has been assessed through on-water observations, which often provide limited spatiotemporal coverage, and boater interviews, which may have low response rates. To overcome these limitations, an object detection model was trained and deployed to identify small boats within high resolution (∼3 m/pixel) PlanetScope imagery at four North Carolina offshore artificial reefs during 2019. The resulting visitation time series consisted of 1319 stationary and 201 underway vessels detections. This is ∼12 times the number of visitations reported during 2019 from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) boat-ramp interviews and ∼20 times the number captured using Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel-tracking data. Although the MRIP surveys do not report any visitations during the winter months, imagery-based detections show that the use of these reefs extends throughout the winter. Detections also show steady use of the sites on weekends, whereas the MRIP interviews indicate relatively fewer visitors on Sundays. Imagery-based detections and MRIP results show AR-315 to be the most visited reef. However, whereas the MRIP results indicate limited use of the other sites, the imagery-based visitation shows that AR-370 and AR-425 reefs are visited nearly as often, with AR-160 being under-utilized relative to these sites. These comparisons show how the low survey response rate and sparsity of tracking beacons on small vessels may lead to a biased assessment of visitation patterns. The clustering of detections within sites highlights the relative popularity of different reef materials among users. Leveraging the growing availability of high spatiotemporal resolution satellite imagery, this automated framework can be used to detect boats around other areas and times of interest. Visitation information is essential in assessing the socioeconomic impacts of these reefs, and important in the design and maintenance of current and future reefs to support local coastal economies and recreation.

Examining the Agency-Foundation Relationship in Local Park and Recreation Services

Local park and recreation agencies supply a variety of community-based services, often at little or no direct cost to users. To supplement tax-based allocations, many agencies rely on partnerships with park foundations, nonprofit organizations that directly support park and recreation service delivery. Despite their prevalence and importance, there is a lack of empirical evidence about the agency-foundation (AF) relationship; this project begins to address this need, and seeks to inform the efforts of professionals navigating these partnerships. Results from a survey of National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) member agencies (n = 235) illustrated that these partnerships are generally viewed as close, effective, and strong, and of particular value relevant to “big picture” agency activities such as fundraising and community engagement. A comparison of communities indicates that the AF relationship is more common in larger communities, and among larger and more complex agencies. Practical implications for practitioners and potential directions for future research are discussed.

A scenario-and-network approach to the urban planning development of the Abakan-Yenisei settlement system

Introduction. The urban development of livable areas in southern Siberia, rich for natural resources, has encountered a number of problems. They include sparse population, a low-density network of transportation routes and engineering networks, and a growing socio-economic gap between small towns and megalopolises. The self-defeating pattern of the present-day centripetal urbanization leads to the “geographical compression” of the population into several points on the map. Domestic urban planning relies on Soviet developments and follows the arbitrary pattern of the free-wheeling market. Against this background, it is necessary to search for new scientific fundamentals. The hypothesis, proposed by the author, allows predicting urban development activities, changing their direction by influencing certain points in the settlement system, that are known as settlement points, or small towns and villages having unlocked urban development potential. According to the author’s hypothesis, settlement nodes have a trigger effect (they can trigger changes in the entire settlement system).
 Materials and methods. Approved area planning schemes and master layout plans were used in this work. Methods for identifying high-potential settlement nodes are proposed. They are a combination of network and scenario-based approac­hes to projecting urban development activities. This method was used to identify the settlement nodes in southern Siberia (the Baikal-Angarsk settlement area).
 Results. Eight settlement nodes, having unlocked development potential, were identified within the boundaries of the Abakan-Yenisei settlement area (Achinsk, Shira, Abakan-Minusinsk, Abaza, Ak-Dovurak, Kyzyl, Irbeyskoye and Kansk). Their urban transformation through 2050 is proposed in compliance with their economic specialization, including the development of the local industry, power generation, recreation and agriculture.
 Conclusions. In the present-day environment, urban planning activities should be based on the development of projected scenarios. Projected scenarios describe possible changes to the planning framework of a settlement system, which allows identifying settlement nodes as the points of target urban impacts focused on the rational development of livable areas in southern Siberia, rich in natural resources.

Understanding the Values and Attitudes of New Residents in a Community Intentionally Designed to Elicit Social Connections

Abstract This case study focuses on developing an objective, baseline understanding of the opinions and behaviors of residents currently residing in the developing neighborhood of Livingston (Calgary, Alberta, Canada). Livingston is unique because it is a new community composed of mostly young couples from diverse backgrounds who have collectively chosen to be part of a community-focused developing neighborhood. More specifically, researchers from Mount Royal University (MRU) explored the sense of belonging, physical activity behaviors, and level of engagement of the pioneer residents (first families who opted to move in to this brand-new community). This baseline knowledge can be used by the developer (Brookfield Residential) and local recreation leaders (such as Vivo for Healthier Generations and City of Calgary Recreation) to understand the current and anticipated expectations of residents living in Livingston, including opportunities for active and healthy living. Discoveries from this study can also provide evidence to help inform future planning and decision making related to the built environment and vibrancy within a community as it is being built. A combination of semi-structured interviews with families living in Livingston along with personalized physical activity (PA) behavior assessments and validated questionnaires for both children and adults living in Livingston were used. Several themes emerged from the data analysis including (but not limited to); neighborhood vibrancy, environmental appeal, health and happiness, harmonious living, belonging, and infrastructure. VIU logo WLCE logo Information Vancouver Island University World Leisure Centre of Excellence © D.P. Sheehan and D.F. Ammar, 2020

Imagining the preventive city: How can urban environments support dementia prevention? A qualitative study

AbstractBackgroundInterventions for the risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia are currently largely focused on individual‐level strategies. To maximize risk reduction, it is useful to consider how the environment we live in can support dementia prevention, i.e. promote healthy lifestyle behaviors known to attenuate dementia risk. As the majority of the ageing population will be living in cities in the future, we specifically explored how dementia prevention could be addressed in urban environments with the aim of generating transformative ideas for public health policy.MethodIn our trans‐ and multidisciplinary qualitative study, we conducted in‐depth problem‐centered, semi‐structured interviews with 10 community‐dwelling individuals at least 65 years of age and 10 experts (fields covered: architecture, cultural/arts education, environmental sciences, geriatrics, health policy, IT, philosophy, psychology, public health, and urban sociology), all living in the city of Leipzig, Germany. Interview guides were informed by the framework on modifiable risk factors for dementia of the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care. Interviews were audio‐recorded and verbatim transcribed. Data were categorized and coded using computer‐assisted content analysis.ResultCommunity‐dwelling individuals were M = 73.7 (SD = 6.0) years old, 50% were women. Experts were aged 39 to 72 years, 70% were women. Across interviews, both older individuals and experts stressed three urban environmental aspects to promote dementia prevention in the city: social participation and inclusion (emphasizing intergenerationality, digital literacy, co‐creating, cultural/arts/community events and lifelong learning), proximity and accessibility (emphasizing neighborhoods, social housing, mobility, access to health care services, public toilets) and local recreation (emphasizing urban greenery, environmental protection, public gardening, outdoor physical activity, cleanliness and security, especially after dark).ConclusionUrban environments play a crucial, but yet too little recognized role for promoting comprehensive healthy lifestyle behaviors that attenuate dementia risk. Public policy should more involve older community members in defining and creating such environments. Moreover, urban environments that promote healthy lifestyle behaviors may be particularly beneficial for marginalized and deprived community groups, which are usually hard to reach by individual‐level interventions.

How can urban environments support dementia risk reduction? A qualitative study.

Interventions to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia largely focus on individual-level strategies. To maximize risk reduction, it is also necessary to consider the environment. With the majority of older people living in cities, we explored how urban environments could support risk reduction. In our qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with community members aged ≥65years and stakeholders, all living in Leipzig, Germany. Interview guides were informed by the framework on modifiable risk factors for dementia of the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care. Interviews were audio-recorded, verbatim-transcribed, and thematically analysed. Community members (n=10) were M=73.7 (SD=6.0) years old and 50% were women. Stakeholders (n=10) were aged 39-72years, and 70% were women. Stakeholders' fields included architecture, cultural/arts education, environmental sciences, geriatrics, health policy, information and technology, philosophy, psychology, public health, and urban sociology. Across interviews with both older individuals and stakeholders, three main themes were identified: (i) social participation and inclusion (emphasizing social contacts, social housing, intergenerationality, neighbourhood assistance, information and orientation, digital and technological literacy, lifelong learning, co-creation/co-design), (ii) proximity and accessibility (emphasizing proximity and reachability, mobility, affordability, access to health care, access to cultural events, public toilets), (iii) local recreation and wellbeing (emphasizing safety in traffic, security, cleanliness and environmental protection, urban greenery, climate change and heat waves, outdoor physical activity). The design of urban environments holds large potential to create favourable conditions for community-dwelling individuals to practice lifestyles that promote brain health. Public policy should involve community members in co-creating such environments.

Neoliberal conservation and equity in the context of local parks and recreation: Stakeholder perceptions on public-non-profit partnerships

In the face of persistent funding shortfalls, local park and recreation agencies oftentimes engage in neoliberal conservation strategies, including partnerships with nonprofit park foundations. Although such partnerships have been extensively studied in other contexts, there exists a lack of research examining these partnerships and their potential impact on equitable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to extend the existing body of research surrounding this neoliberal conservation strategy and its relationship to equity in the context of local park and recreation services. We analyzed in-depth interviews with leaders from agencies and foundations using an inductive qualitative method. Our results describe several roles for inequity in the agency-foundation relationship: as a call to action, as an outcome, as a process, and as an unresolved challenge. Based on these results, we discuss potential implications and provide a series of recommendations for advancing social justice in the delivery of park and recreation services.

On the priority development areas in international tourism

Subject. The article discusses the issues concerning the emergence of priority development areas in international tourism. Objectives. I point out various types of priority development areas, evaluate their capabilities for tourism development. Methods. The study is based on methods of analysis, synthesis, scientific abstraction, and SWOT analysis. Results. The article describes in comparison of various types of priority development areas, spotlights their capabilities for tourism development. I propose a new type of priority development areas, such as a local recreation and health complex, and provide its description. Currently, inbound tourism grows more important, which almost surpasses economic expectations. As the confrontation between Russia and Western countries perseveres, inbound tourism serves as a crucial element of public diplomacy, or the so called soft power of Russia. Inbound tourism may definitely have a positive effect on the public sentiment in the Western countries and help mend international relations. Conclusions and Relevance. It is still relevant and effective to create priority development areas, which can be used for the production and servicing sectors of the economy. The creation of priority development areas can give an additional impetus to tourism development. It is noteworthy that various types of priority development areas have their own strengths and weaknesses. It is important to maintain the optimization of inbound tourist flows, their more even dispersion across the area, and prevent excessive tourism in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the Black Sea resorts.

Dynamics of urban landscape nexus spatial dependence of ecosystem services in rapid agglomerate cities of Ethiopia

Understanding the dependence of ecosystem services (ESs) on the dynamics of human-semi nature-coupled ecosystems is crucial for urban ecosystem resilience. In the present study, the responses of ESs to land use land cover transitions were explored and compared, selecting Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, and Bahir Dar cities in Ethiopia. The geospatial data and benefit transfer approach was used to estimate the nexus over a three-decade period (1990–2020). Moreover, the bivariate Moran's I and spatial regression models were employed to analyze the spatial dependence of ESV on urbanization. The findings showed that the built-up increased by 17,341.0 ha (32.2%), 2151.3 ha (19.6%), 2715.2 ha (12.2%), and 2599.7 ha (15.7%) for Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar, and Hawassa cities, respectively over the investigated periods. Besides, the total ESV weighed by 24.8%, 8.9%, 0.7%, and 3.9% from the US$ 277.9, 55.5, 100.3, and 90.9 million for Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar, and Hawassa cities, respectively from1990 to 2020. Synergies occurred among local climate regulation and recreation services, and trade-offs existed among other services. A persistent rising trend in the ESVt was found for all cities the upsurge in Addis Ababa being much sturdier than in others. However, the elasticity of ecosystem of land use (EEL) showed that 1% of the LULC transformation was caused by 8.9% changes in ESV. Besides, the results from the global bivariate Moran's I show substantial positive spatial correlations between ESV, and Integrated Land use Dynamic Degree (ILUDD), Land-Use Intensity (LUI), and Land Use Diversity (LUD) (p < 0.001). Spatial lag model and special error model were shown to be fitting more than the Ordinary Least Square in establishing relationships among the spatial dependence of ESV on urbanization. In contrast, the aggregated ESV is significantly influenced not only by LULC dynamics but also by the spatial spillover effect. Thus, overall findings suggested an antagonistic nexus between the aggregated ESV and ESVf, since 98% of individual ESs were negatively declined as the built-up ecosystem expanded.

Travel discontinuities, enforced holidaying-at-home and alternative leisure travel futures after COVID-19

The paralysis of global tourism caused by COVID-19 made it possible to conduct a unique and nearly real-time online survey to investigate adaptations and reactions to sudden severe leisure travel restrictions among residents in the Oslo metropolitan area of Norway during the 2020 Easter/spring holiday period. Stress relief, socialising, social bonds and discoveries of local recreation options were important home holiday experiences. Vacation challenges under lockdown included few opportunities for novelty and the chance of liminoid situations – reversal or bracketing of everyday routine existence. The enforced Easter staycation advanced reflections on impending leisure travel, indicating limited opportunities to boost future low-carbon near-home Easter holiday experiences. Path dependencies towards second homes and spatially stretched social obligations, as well as emphasis on freedom of movement, ostensibly constrain vacation travel habit discontinuities at this time of the year.

Promoting on-going participation in group fitness among older adults: An application of the Psychological Continuum Model

The purpose of this case study was to explore older adults’ experience of participation in a community-based group fitness program at a local recreation center that has long-term participation with many participants consistently attending for multiple years. Data were collected through individual interviews with program members (n = 23) and through participant observation. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings suggested that participants became engaged in the program through a process reflected by the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM). The findings provide insight into elements of the program that promoted awareness and fostered attraction, attachment, and allegiance among participants. The paper discusses how the PCM can be applied to fitness programs for older adults to promote long-term participation.

Ecosystem services supply and demand response to urbanization: A case study of the Pearl River Delta, China

The process of rapid urbanization makes our planet’s natural ecosystems subject to strong interferences of different kinds of human activities, which affect the relationship between ecosystem services (ESs) supply and demand. Hence, unraveling the impact of urbanization on ESs supply and demand is urgently needed, especially in urban agglomerations. Previous case studies focused on the impact of land use change on ESs supply, and the relationship between urbanization and ESs supply and demand is still unclear. More precisely, the differences in the impact of population growth, economic development, and land use change on ES supply and demand remains unstudied. Taking the rapidly urbanized Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration of China as an example, this study focused on four typical ESs, i.e. water yield, grain production, carbon sequestration and local recreation. The impact of urbanization on ESs supply and demand have been explored using regression analysis across regions characterized by different levels of urbanization. Furthermore, Random Forest, an algorithm based on decision tree, has been applied in order to assess the sensitivity of ESs supply and demand to urbanization. The results showed that, the total supply of various ESs decreased, while the total demand of the ESs increased, which resulted in an intensified spatial imbalance between ESs supply and demand from 2000 to 2015. In developed and developing urban areas, urbanization had no significant impact on ESs supply and demand, but urbanization had a significantly negative impact in rural areas. ESs supply and demand were most sensitive to (i) population density in developed urban areas, (ii) to population density, GDP density, and artificial land proportion in developing urban areas, and (iii) to artificial land proportion in rural areas. This study provides a basis for decision-making in the context of coordinated development of human and nature in rapidly urbanized areas.

ORGANIZATION OF THE URBAN PUBLIC PARK OF CULTURE AND RECREATION IN THE CITY OF UZHHOROD

The parks of Uzhhorod have been studied, the culture and recreation park relocation expediency from Pidzamkovyi to Bozdoskyi has been proved. The Pidzamkovyi park, with an area of only 4 hectares, has not withstood the load placed on it for a long time and does not meet the requirements of the Building code for such facilities. Further use of this park for cultural events will lead to the loss of valuable plantations and the destruction of the historic landscape of the city. Therefore, the issue of removing the functions of the culture and recreation park from it is now extremely acute. Instead, this area can be used as a place for local recreation of the surrounding residents. Bozdosky Park, which contains all the necessary components for the organization of leisure activities of the city population: accessibility, sufficient space and recreational resources is offered as the alternative for the function of an urban public park of culture and recreation.

APPROACHES TO INCREASING THE LANDSCAPE CAPACITY OF A BIG CITY

The article considers the problem of limiting the territory of large cities in terms of expansion and expansion of park areas. The issues of landscape organization of local territories of large cities are raised: arrangement of entrance zones and railway green strips, organization of flat green coverings over platform spaces, arrangement of means of landscaping of semi-underground and underground garages, functional delimitation of pedestrian territories. The concept of semiotic units of landscape design is illustrated: point, line, plane, mass. Methods of distinguishing fragments of the urban environment and examples from foreign experience are given.&#x0D; The high concentration of anthropomorphic activity, creating a number of unconditional advantages, has led to a violation of the optimal balance between natural and artificial components of the landscape. As a result, cities feel an urgent need to maximize the natural component of the urban environment. The urgency of the topic is due to the approach of humanity to a critical limit, beyond which the process of deterioration of the biosphere will be beyond his control.&#x0D; The aim of the article is to generalize the experience of using landscape design tools to create a safe environment, enrich the city with landscaping elements, which are located not in traditional parks, but in local recreation areas, to design pedestrian spaces, create certain barriers between pedestrians and parking lots. favorable microclimate in the territories adjacent to production zones and railways, etc .; as well as developing approaches to increase the landscape potential of a large city and improve the microclimate of the urban environment.&#x0D; Transforming the landscape of large cities using landscaping tools and techniques will lead to a more harmonious relationship between anthropogenic and natural components of the urban environment, and ultimately reduce the factors that adversely affect human health. Attitudes towards the use of landscape design to achieve the artistic expressiveness of the urban environment is increasingly becoming an indicator of the civilization of the country.

Expanding the toolbox: Assessing methods for local outdoor recreation planning

Growing demand for outdoor recreation puts pressure on highly-frequented peri-urban areas. In the Netherlands, a more equal distribution of recreationists has been proposed by the Dutch government to relieve pressure on overcrowded recreation hotspots. Devising landscape planning strategies that redirect recreation flows requires reliable data on areas that people currently use and what areas would also be suitable for recreation. Such data may not be available for local planners. The objective of this study was therefore to analyse how different data gathering methods can support local recreation planning.For an empirical case study in the Netherlands, we compare data on current and potential use of landscapes for outdoor recreation through participatory mapping, free listing, quantitative photo ranking, and analysis of social media data. Based on maps produced from these different data we interviewed local planners to assess how applicable and relevant the different methods are for planning practice. Local planners indicated they had limited knowledge of and access to scientific methods and insights. Their assessment of different methods suggests that some methods are not yet applied for local planning, such as free listing or participatory mapping. These methods have potential to be used for evidence-based planning, because they require few resources to be implemented. Planners also indicated that using social media data would be interesting, but that the skills required to collect and analyse data are typically not currently in place. Our results show the potential and challenges for research methods to be integrated into local planning practice to distribute recreation flows more effectively.

Understanding the Agency-Foundation Relationship: The Role of Nonprofit Foundations in Delivering Local Park and Recreation Services

Inadequate funding is a common and longstanding concern for local public park and recreation agencies. Traditionally, these services are funded predominantly through tax-based allocations, supplemented by other streams such as earned revenue, dedicated levies, and sponsorship agreements. Cost-cutting measures such as outsourcing, overall staffing reductions, and an increasing reliance on a parttime workforce have also become increasingly common in the context of local park and recreation service delivery. Partnership with nonprofit organizations represents another potential strategy to adequately fund local park and recreation services.Partnerships between local park and recreation agencies and nonprofit park and recreation foundations have a long history, and help support local park and recreation agencies in a variety of capacities. Their importance may also be growing as a function of the decline in tax-based support and earned revenue due to both the Great Recession and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Such partnerships are not unique to local parks and recreation however, and are common—and widely studied—at the national and transnational level. Despite their importance to local park and recreation service delivery, and the established body of knowledge examining these partnerships at the national and transnational level, the local agency-foundation relationship remains understudied. In this manuscript we begin to address this gap by providing a clearer picture of the agency-foundation relationship, and identifying strategies for how local park and recreation agencies can most effectively leverage these partnerships. To do so, we employ a qualitative research method, interviewing leaders from both local public park and recreation agencies and nonprofit park foundations. Results illustrate a variety of motivations for initiating an agency-foundation relationship (funding/capacity, deteriorating conditions, and equity), as well as a number of distinct benefits of such a partnership (increased operational capacity, advocacy and outreach, expertise, and non-governmental status). Respondents also identified various characteristics of a successful agency-foundation relationship (effective communication, clear roles and responsibilities, strong connections, and flexibility/responsiveness), and challenges to success (competition for scarce resources, and equity). Based on these results, we propose several strategies to help local park and recreation agencies maximize these partnerships (communicate frequently and with purpose, build relationships, formalize ties, and strive for equitable outcomes).

Implications of the Great Recession for Higher Education in Leisure Studies

Although students in the broad field of leisure studies may pursue a variety of opportunities post-graduation, employment within local parks and recreation represents one potential career path. Unfortunately, the Great Recession disproportionately impacted local parks and recreation relative to competing public services. As such, this article examines the implications of the Great Recession for higher education in leisure studies. To do so, we first present data from the pre- and post-recession periods that illustrate (a) a shift toward a part-time labor force in local park and recreation service delivery; (b) the failure of local parks and recreation to keep pace with other local services in terms of part-time wages; and (c) a rise in private sector employment in the arts, entertainment, and recreation. We conclude by contextualizing the current analysis in terms of previous discussions of the state and future of leisure studies.

Kajian fungsi sosial-budaya ruang terbuka hijau publik Kecamatan Serpong, Kota Tangerang Selatan

Study of the socio-cultural function of public green open space in Serpong District, South Tangerang City. Urban communities have a variety of activities and routines with high mobility. It takes a balance between busy activities and leisure activities where people have the freedom to communicate and interact in space. The area of public green open space in Serpong District has reached 28% of the total required by Law no. 26 article 29. Most of the green open space is located in certain housing areas, so that its utilization is more focused on residential residents. . Based on these facts, this study aims to discuss the extent to which the socio-cultural functions that must be carried out by public green open space outside of residential areas can meet the needs of people who live outside the existing residential areas. A study on the social functions of public green open space will be carried out in Serpong District, South Tangerang City, with samples of City Forest 2, Health Park, and Peace Park. This study used survey method using data collection instruments in the form of observations and questionnaires which were scored based on a Likert scale. Data analysis technique is using proportion (percentage) or frequency. From the research results, it is known that the social function of public green open space in City Forest 2, Health Park, and Peace Park has been achieved, namely as a communication medium for city residents, describing local cultural expressions, recreation areas, and educational and research facilities.

Mapping the natural heritage as a source of recreation services at national scale in Bulgaria

Natural heritage includes natural features or natural areas of outstanding universal value. At a national level, this value refers to the importance of ecosystems which can be considered as the spatial units representing the natural heritage of the particular area in terms of their values to people. Nature-based outdoor recreation represents an important service that interests millions of people and contributes to connecting them to nature, but it may also cause negative impacts in the form of pollution, erosion and habitats loss. We apply the ESTIMAP recreation model which provides a framework for a spatially-explicit assessment of local outdoor recreation and use it to identify and assess the natural heritage as a source of recreation services at a national level in Bulgaria. At the first stage of the study, we identify the natural heritage and the data sources to represent it in a spatially-explicit way. Then, we apply the module for recreation potential to assess the potential of the natural heritage to provide a recreation ecosystem service. At the third stage, the accessibility of the natural heritage is assessed in order to specify how the potential identified at the previous step can be really used. Finally, the recreation potential and accessibility are integrated into the recreation opportunity spectrum in order to develop the maps representing the ecosystem service supply provided by the natural heritage. The results are presented in form of a recreation potential map that reveals the capacity of natural heritage to provide the recreation potential, map of the accessibility of the natural heritage and map of the recreation opportunity spectrum representing the combination between the first two maps. The maps will be used for the development of an innovative geospatial platform designed to facilitate the access of the Bulgarian natural heritage to the European common knowledge and innovation markets. The results on the accessibility and recreation opportunity spectrum contribute to the development of the model in areas which were not covered by previous applications at the EU scale.