Outdoor Recreation Experiences Research Articles

Evidence-Based Practice in Adaptive Snow Sports: A Brief Report

Adaptive outdoor recreation experiences are widely accepted as a means to rehabilitation and community inclusion; however, therapeutic recreation specialists, have been limited in their ability to document benefits of outdoor recreation activities due to a lack of available instruments. This study reports on the development and implementation of the Progress Report assessment tool, designed to capture functional outcomes of an adaptive snow sports program in the Rocky Mountains. Instrument design, validation, and pilot testing are reviewed. Findings indicate positive changes in participant functional skills observed during snow sports lessons and a positive relationship between number of lessons and one’s ability for the respective snow sports activity. Considerations for adaptation and application of the Progress Report, and implications for future research, are discussed.

Food for Active Outdoor Recreation: Convenience, Sustainability, and Gender Perspectives

Given increases in outdoor recreation participation observed in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic, recent increased public recreational initiatives, and a societal focus on the 17 sustainability goals of Agenda 2030, an exploratory study was initiated to consider the role of food in the outdoor recreation experience. Specifically, the question of how food may serve as a factor in sustainable outdoor recreation was explored. The study was designed to consider patterns in outdoor recreation participation and self-reported food choices/preferences among active outdoor participants. The survey methodology used questions about outdoor recreation participation and food choice preferences to investigate this intersection of food and outdoor recreation. For example, taste, activity function, ease of use, and sustainability were considered. Unsurprisingly, taste emerged as the strongest outdoor recreation food preference factor. Results show how highly active outdoor participants perceive food’s role in 1-day and multiday outdoor recreational experiences. For example, over 90% of all respondents indicated that food was a part of their enjoyment of the outdoor recreation experience. Increased interest in the nutritional value of food used in multiday outdoor recreation activities was also reported–with 99% of respondents indicating its importance. However, the most interesting results indicated a relationship between gender and food choice/preference factors. A review of the results opens the door to further inquiries into gender and persistent gender roles as a food/outdoor recreation factor. The discussion of the results also considers the breadth of potential sustainability factors, individual and collective, and the need for more definitional clarity regarding sustainability within the context of outdoor recreation food.

Outdoor recreationists’ engagement with weather: The weather-outdoor recreation process model

The role of weather in outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism constitutes a growing area of research. Yet how and when weather influences the individual outdoor recreation experience continues to warrant investigation. Furthermore, concepts and knowledge about human-weather relationships are scattered across several disciplines. This paper consolidates the literature and relationships into a conceptual model that illustrates the ways in which recreationists engage with weather during the nature-based outdoor recreation experience. At the core of the model, constructed using a multidisciplinary literature review and expert appraisal process, is the person-weather environment fit process. During each phase of the recreation experience, individuals assess and respond to weather conditions considering their recreational goals, chosen activity, comfort, health and safety, and site access. When faced with an incongruent fit, individuals engage in a process of weather constraints negotiation. Intervening factors and negotiation responses are highlighted, as are personal and other environmental factors that may influence perceptions of the thermal context and weather. The resulting conceptual model is intended to be applicable to most individuals, outdoor recreation activities and settings, and regions. The model can be used to situate existing outdoor recreation-weather research, stimulate future research, and inform management. Management implications•The Weather-Outdoor Recreation Process Model (WORP) provides fodder for academic discourse, testable hypotheses, research ideas, and advances our collective understanding of outdoor recreation.•The model provides outdoor recreation researchers and management interested in understanding how weather plays a role or otherwise influences recreationists' experiences and behaviors with a conceptual map of recreationist-weather interactions.•Researchers may choose to use the conceptual model and accompanying literature review as a means for exploring various concepts and relationships.•Recreation managers may consult the model in order to grasp the range of possible weather concerns and identify entry points for interventions to support year-round recreation and positive outcomes for different groups.•The model can be applied in a training or formal education environment as a basis to discuss the complexities of outdoor recreation and associated variables.•Practitioners can use the WORP to identify how improvements in infrastructure and/or information provision may help increase the ability of outdoor recreationists to negotiate weather constraints.

Do soundscape perceptions vary over length of stay within urban parks?

Outdoor recreational experiences of soundscapes in urban parks are not instantaneous but continuous over time, yet most existing studies evaluate soundscapes in one place or one environment at a single moment in time. In this study, outdoor users' perceptions of soundscapes during a visit in varying environments within urban parks in Xi'an, China were explored. The results from N = 2034 respondents showed that (1) the level of overall perceived loudness peaked between 30 min and 1 h of a visit and then the perception of loudness lessened with increased length of stay. (2) Perceived occurrences of both natural and mechanical sounds showed a significant increment within 1 h, however, the natural sounds remained relatively stable after the hour, while the mechanical sounds rose significantly to a peak between 1 and 3 h (3) Visual sources of birds were not detected until after 3 h of the visit, while visual sources of broadcast music were tended to be detected within 1 h (4) Overall perceived loudness only varied over time in blue, open green and dense green space; perceived occurrences of birds only varied over time in grey and partly open/dense green space; perceived occurrences of broadcast music only varied over time in grey space, partly open/dense green and dense green space; perceived occurrences of bicycle riding only varied over time in open green and dense green space. The implications of these findings include the management of urban parks to improve the recreational experience of visitors, and considerations for future research on the soundscape in urban parks.

Beach, Please: Exploring Black Women’s Lived Outdoor Recreation Experiences

Beach, Please: Exploring Black Women’s Lived Outdoor Recreation Experiences

Place-based Pedagogy in a Border Region: A Qualitative Examination of Experiences

Background: Problematic trends have been identified with student travel that perpetuate hierarchies of power in outdoor recreation. Little research has examined the impact of bias, racism, or political national meta-narratives regarding immigration and people crossing the border on students who enter areas where cultural differences exist. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand how a place-based outdoor recreation experience impacted students’ understanding of recreational experiences on a trip in the border region of Texas. Methodology/Approach: Using a constructivist qualitative approach, the researchers provided a group of college students with place-based lessons about the Texas and Mexico border prior to and during a canoe trip along the border. The team then conducted semi-structured interviews to understand student experiences. Findings/Conclusions: The findings from this project suggest that place-based lessons may have helped students refute faulty meta-narrative, humanize cultural others, and induce sympathy for fellow travelers in the region. Implications: This project has implications for environmental educators who are teaching in places where power differentials exist between students and local people. Educators may find place-based education to be a useful tool in preparing students to learn in a non-extractive way.

Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Outdoor Physical Activity As An Alternative To Growing Life Skills; Narrative Literature Reviewer

Outdoors is one of the educational and recreational media that is expected to be able to bring out creativity and stimulate someone to be able to control their emotions about uncertainty over achieving goals in life. The method in this research is descriptive qualitative and narrative literature review. Data collection techniques using library research. Types of data using textual or conceptual. Aspects of analysis include definitions, concepts, views, thoughts and arguments. The source of data in this research is secondary data and refers to life skills or the term '5C' (Competence, Confidence, Character, Connections, Compassion/ Caring) in the development of strength-based youth as contained in the positive youth development program. (Lerner et al., 2005; Lerner et al., 2015) Research result; relation to outdoor physical activity as an alternative to fostering life skills through positive youth development programs that structured and unstructured outdoor recreational experiences can foster self-concept and enhance the development of motor skills and academic achievement as well as bring about competence and increased self-efficacy. In conclusion, outdoor experiences during adolescence can develop life skills that last a lifetime.

Youth Outdoor Recreation Experience, Race, and Socioeconomic Status: Explaining Connection to Nature and Future Career Interest

The outdoor recreation industry faces the challenge of recruiting the next generation of professionals. This study examined factors that may influence young adults’ interest in outdoor recreation careers, including participation in organized and unorganized outdoor recreation as a youth, connection to nature (CTN), racial identity, and socioeconomic status (SES). An online questionnaire was distributed using a Qualtrics panel, and criterion sampling was used to ensure the sample included participants with approximately equal representation across racial identity and SES categories. Participation in unorganized recreation, CTN, and SES were found to be significant predictors of interest in outdoor recreation careers. Additionally, participation in organized recreation was found to be a significant negative predictor of CTN, while participation in unorganized recreation and racial identity were significant positive predictors of CTN, and CTN had a small mediating effect on the relationship between unorganized recreation participation and interest in outdoor recreation careers.

Will I See Faces Like Mine?: Exploring Perceived Constraints to Outdoor Recreation Experiences at an HBCU

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceived constraints of structured outdoor recreation experiences for students attending a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Data were collected from four focus group sessions. Grounded Theory was used to analyze the data and from an analysis of data, four themes emerged: 1. Family impact, 2. Companionship, 3. Social media and technology, and 4. HBCU and Black American cultures. This study confirmed the importance of social companionship and the need for relevant marketing strategies as motivators for Black student participation in outdoor recreation activities at this HBCU. A common thread among the groups, was the perception of Whiteness in outdoor spaces and its negative impact on outdoor recreation involvement.

Whether They Return: Modeling Outdoor Recreation Behaviors, Decision Making, and Intention-to-Return in Congressionally Designated Wilderness

Visitation to parks and protected areas (PPAs) has become increasingly widespread in the United States. This increased visitation is especially concerning within congressionally designated wilderness areas where federal agencies are tasked with the dual mandate of preserving wilderness character while simultaneously providing high-quality outdoor recreation experiences. This study investigated the influence of social, situational, and ecological factors on outdoor recreation visitor behaviors and decision making within the Lye Brook Congressionally Designated Wilderness (LBW) area in Vermont, USA. An on-site intercept survey (n = 576) was employed to collect data from LBW visitors in the summer of 2021. Descriptive and multi-variate statistics (e.g., binary logistic regression, structural equation modeling) indicated that visitor behaviors (e.g., coping, substitution) and decision-making (e.g., intention-to-return) were significantly influenced by social (e.g., conflict), situational (e.g., litter, access), and ecological (e.g., trail conditions, weather) impacts. Moreover, the presence of various weather conditions was found to significantly influence the severity of perceived social, situational, and ecological impacts. Study results indicated that outdoor recreation experiences are multifaceted, necessitating a suite of social, situational, and ecological considerations, especially when examining the relationship between visitor coping behaviors and intention-to-return. This research advances the coping framework, provides empirical support for future examination of social–ecological system (SES) theory, and emphasizes the utility of employing an adaptive systems approach for sustainable PPA management.

Recreation as a transformative experience: Synthesizing the literature on outdoor recreation and recreation ecosystem services into a systems framework

Outdoor recreation is a type of recreation that occurs in, and depends on, the natural environment. Ecosystem services are the benefits people receive from ecosystems. The outdoor recreation research (ORR) field has developed a detailed understanding of the recreation experience but has not developed a full understanding of the contribution of the natural environment to those experiences. Recreation Ecosystem Services (RES) is a newer area of research that highlights the contribution of the natural environment for recreation. The integration of these lines of research can improve our understanding of how the natural environment contributes to outdoor recreation benefits and outcomes. In this conceptual synthesis paper, we outline the evolution of outdoor recreation management to identify key theories and central concepts related to the biophysical setting in ORR. We then summarize contributions from RES, emphasizing the role of the natural environment in this research. Subsequently, we highlight key elements from systems theory and present the idea of transformation as a central element in outdoor recreation. We present a framework that captures central ideas from the ORR and RES fields and highlights the dynamic nature of transformative outdoor recreation experiences embedded in social-ecological complex adaptive systems. A more holistic systems view of outdoor recreation can help researchers and managers envision the bigger picture of how outdoor recreation land management contributes to recreation benefits and ecosystem services. If we understand the full complexity of the recreation system, we are better situated to address specific components in meaningful ways.

The Power of Campfire Spaces for Diversity Education: A Case Study Analysis of a Diversity-Focused Outdoor Adventure Program

Diversity interventions on college campuses provide engagement opportunities for students to interact across lines of difference. Despite these efforts, hate crimes, racial and cultural insensitivity, and a lack of engagement with diverse peers are prevalent. This qualitative case study used an embedded single-case design to explore a new type of intervention: diversity-focused outdoor adventure trips. These trips draw participants from diverse campus communities and create bridges across student populations who might not interact otherwise. Findings from this study suggest that students experience meaningful experiential learning about diversity on outdoor adventure trips. Students are then able to create connections with diverse peers that impact their views of the campus and diverse peers in their community. These findings have implications for extending campus diversity education beyond the traditional classroom or workshop environment and demonstrates the potential for outdoor recreation and education contexts to be opportunities for powerful personal connections among diverse participants. These connections among individuals illustrate the potential for outdoor recreation experiences to forge new bonds between across disparate communities.

A ramp that leads to nothing: outdoor recreation experiences of children with physical disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT During the global COVID-19 pandemic, access to outdoor recreation is desperately needed for youth; however, children with physical disabilities who regularly experience barriers and constraints to engagement in outdoor physical activity may experience additional challenges. We examined the outdoor recreation experiences of children with physical disabilities (ages 6–10) living in Coastal Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic by interviewing their parents using a modified Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Responses were coded inductively and then deductively using a typology of factors related to physical activity participation among children and adults with physical disabilities. Our findings indicate the barriers experienced by children existed before and were compounded by the pandemic. Parents struggled to find meaningful outdoor experiences for their children with disabilities and attributed most of the barriers to institutional-level factors. We share actionable steps municipalities can take to provide more inclusive access for children in outdoor and nature-based settings.

Outdoor recreation experiences in youth with visual impairments: a qualitative inquiry

ABSTRACT Outdoor recreation has many benefits for youth. Benefits may be more profound in youth with visual impairments as the involvement in outdoor recreation activities provides improved self-determination and socialization. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to comprehend each participant’s lived outdoor recreation experiences, and to illuminate and show specific meanings that participants assign to their lived experiences. Sixteen youth between the ages of 9–19 years with visual impairments kept an outdoor recreation log for 30 days and then were interviewed about their outdoor recreation experiences in their lives. Data from the logs and the interviews were analyzed by three experts in the field and themes, subthemes, and quotes were established. Youth with visual impairment do participate in a variety of outdoor recreation experiences. The findings revealed three main themes of barriers, benefits, and facilitators. The results indicate that outdoor recreation can be very beneficial and adapted support and special programming are necessary for participants to gain benefits from outdoor recreation experiences.

Motivations and spatial behavior of OHV recreationists: A case-study from central Utah (USA)

Despite the growing popularity of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, only a small body of research has focused on the motivations of these recreationists, how motivations vary across participants, and how motivations are related to recreationists’ on-site behavior. Our investigation integrates established theory from the field of outdoor recreation management to develop a better understanding of the diverse motivations of OHV users visiting the Sheeprock Mountains region of central Utah, USA. We pair data on OHV users’ recreation experience preferences with data on their spatial behavior to develop strategic approaches for resource management. This can help balance the trade-offs between maintaining the quality and diversity of outdoor recreation experiences while limiting resource impacts. Our analyses revealed the motivations of OHV users were not related to a variety of variables characterizing OHV users’ rides (e.g., distance, speed, etc.). However, we did find distinct differences in the routes favored by OHV users preferring different outdoor recreation experiences. We visualize the concentration of routes preferred by OHV users with different experience preferences to inform the development of spatially targeted interpretation and signage efforts. Through this approach, we demonstrate how a better understanding of the diverse motivations of OHV users can be used to inform communication strategies designed to get the most meaningful information in front of the right users in the right places. The motivations of OHV users were not related to a variety of variables characterizing the OHV users' rides. There were distinct differences in the routes favored by OHV users preferring different outdoor recreation experiences. We document a method for visualizing the concentration of routes preferred by OHV users with different experience preferences. Visualizations of the concentration of routes preferred by OHV users with different experience preferences can be used to inform the development of spatially targeted interpretation and signage efforts.

A “magic teleportation machine”: Ethnically diverse green space users derive similar cultural ecosystem benefits from urban nature

Green spaces are vital to the wellbeing of urban communities, largely due to the many Cultural Ecosystem Benefits (CEB) that nature contributes to outdoor recreation experiences (e.g., relaxation, inspiration, spiritual enrichment). To ensure equity in the distribution of CEB, however, we require a better understanding of how they relate to ethnicity. Through 100 in-situ semi-structured interviews with green space users in the Lee Valley Regional Park, London, UK, this research explored variation in outdoor recreational CEB based on i) ethnicity and ii) green space activity and attribute preferences. We compared green space preferences and CEB of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and white users of two distinct types of urban green space: parks and more biodiverse Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Both white and BAME visitors to parks prioritized games/sports and built features whereas visitors to SSSIs more often undertook wildlife viewing and prioritized natural features. However, we found that white and BAME users of both types of urban green space derived similar CEB. Peace and relaxation were primary among these benefits, a result of both nature interaction and its contrast to the urban environment. These results demonstrate that nature does not have to be the focal point of outdoor recreation to contribute to wellbeing; rather, even as a backdrop to sports and cultural activities, nature provides similar benefits to green space users. To promote use of green space and foster intercultural understanding, we recommend integrating these shared benefits obtained from nature within marketing and engagement strategies. Future research is needed to explore CEB variation within and among distinct ethnic communities to fully capture the diversity of lived experiences.

Covid-19 and outdoor recreation management: Increased participation, connection to nature, and a look to climate adaptation.

Outdoor recreation management perspectives were investigated based on the general perception of increased public outdoor recreation participation during the Covid-19 pandemic and supported by survey research at local, regional, and national levels in Sweden. There is an interest in how outdoor recreation professionals perceived outdoor recreation by the public during the pandemic and whether professionals could identify specific implications from the Covid-19/outdoor recreation experience. Climate adaptation literature supports the idea that current global challenge coupled with projections for ongoing challenge requires a pro-active approach; this turn to climate adaptation for potential consideration or guidance is based on characteristics that the Covid-19 pandemic shares with climate change. Outdoor recreational professionals' review of a recent public survey and subsequent semi-structured interviews with this group were conducted to obtain outdoor recreation professionals' detailed perceptions on survey outcomes. Results show that the professionals confirm a rapid and significant increase in outdoor recreation participation. Further, professionals identified critical trends in the increase of new or inexperienced outdoor recreation participants. A positive and proactive list of implications emerged as themes of the interviews. A review and synthesis of the themes support the national goals for outdoor recreation in Sweden. Further, results indicate a current opportunity for outdoor recreation to address concerns for diminishing nature experience and support connectedness to nature. The connectedness to nature outcome further strengthens the comparison with climate adaptation strategy given the potential relationship between connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behavior.

Thru-hikers’ smartphone use on the Pacific Crest Trail

ABSTRACT The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs from Mexico to Canada across the western United States. Attempting to complete the entire trail (i.e. thru-hiking) is increasingly popular. We surveyed 560 PCT thru-hikers and found that 97% carried smartphones. This study examined backcountry smartphone use along the PCT. We assessed thru-hikers’ daily smartphone use, different smartphone use behaviours, and days on the trail. Factor analysis categorized the smartphone use behaviours into logical groups: communication, navigation, feeling safe, boredom alleviation, and photography. Regression analysis found that days on the trail, navigation, and boredom alleviation were significant, positive predictors of thru-hikers’ daily smartphone use. Additionally, females were significantly more likely than males to report using smartphones to feel safe. Smartphones are fully integrated into daily life, so outdoor recreation managers should understand how to employ the technology to enhance rather than hinder the quality of outdoor recreation experiences. Implications and future research are discussed.

Open source acoustic model development for natural and protected environments

Natural quiet and the sounds of nature are important natural resources and experiencing them is an important aspect of outdoor recreation experiences. Anthropogenic sound can negatively impact these resources and diminish the benefits realized from outdoor recreation. On public lands where many types of recreation share trails and landscapes, the sounds produced by some types of recreation (e.g., motorized recreation) can negatively impact the experiences of others. To effectively manage public resources including natural soundscapes and recreation opportunities, public land and recreation managers need an understanding of the effects of recreation-caused sounds like those associated with motorized recreation. Acoustic models for recreation and protected areas provide an essential tool to help in predicting sound levels generated by these anthropogenic sources and can aid in studying the extent of potential recreation conflicts, while providing a definite direction to mitigate such conflicts. An open source outdoor sound propagation model integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lays out a good foundation for mapping visitor experience affected by sound sources like gas compressors and motorized recreation sounds. The results thus produced present a preliminary version of an outdoor sound propagation tool, to assist parks and state forest services in making important management decisions to refine visitor experience.

Winter recreationists’ perspectives on seasonal differences in the outdoor recreation setting

The relationship between the outdoor recreation setting and the recreation experience is of perennial interest to recreation researchers. However, few studies have investigated how seasonal setting attributes impact the outdoor recreation experience. During the winter season, outdoor recreation environments are materially transformed, most notably through cold air temperature and the addition of snow to the landscape. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore recreationists’ perceptions of residence proximate winter recreation settings in relation to their behaviors and experiences. The study involved coding and thematically analyzing 28 semi-structured interviews from a larger investigation of winter recreationists living and recreating in the Salt Lake City, Utah region. The findings indicate that recreationists perceive many changes to the biophysical and social outdoor recreation settings during winter, and link these seasonal attributes to specific experiential outcomes and associated dimensions. These differences result in a distinct winter persona character whose dimensions are aesthetic, sensory, and material. The findings are displayed using six summary themes for winter settings. The key discovery is that seasonal changes to the recreation environment lead to a qualitatively different outdoor recreation experience. This study contributes to a gap in empirical knowledge about winter recreation that can inform management, and opens the door to future research on the impacts of seasonality on recreation experience. The study findings regarding the importance of winter aesthetics, the introduction of novelty, the expansion of terrain, increased solitude, altered wildlife experiences, and seasonal opportunities for adventure and challenge, suggest potential avenues for promoting park visitation. Managers could develop messaging about the novelty of visiting familiar places during winter, emphasize the opportunity to try new recreational activities, and experience the environment in a different way, highlight the special restorative quality of the winter setting, use these benefits in advocating for year-round funding to support these places.