Perceptions Of Recreation Research Articles

How do landscape patterns in urban parks affect multiple cultural ecosystem services perceived by residents?

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided by urban parks are crucial for encouraging residents to engage with nature and enhance their physical and mental well-being. Measuring these services from the residents' perception perspective is essential. Previous studies often focus on a specific type of CES, lacking explicit links between the landscape composition and configuration of urban parks and residents' perceptions of various CES. The main objective of this study, therefore, was to explore the effects of urban park landscape patterns on residents' CES perceptions. We took 12 urban parks in Chengdu, China, and assessed residents' CES perceptions through content analysis of social media texts. Spatial patterns of the parks were analyzed using remote sensing interpretation and field surveys. Correlation analysis examined the relationship between landscape patterns and residents' perceptions, with further verification through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Findings revealed that at the landscape level, landscape aggregation of parks was negatively correlated with aesthetic perceptions but positively correlated with recreational perceptions. Landscape diversity negatively impacted perceptions of sports and health (S&H). At the class level, natural elements significantly influenced residents' perceptions of aesthetic and S&H. Specifically, aesthetic perceptions were minimized when the landscape shape index of water bodies reached 6.36 or when the proportion of green space was 56.5 %. Road edge density negatively affected perceptions of S&H and influenced the distribution of water bodies and green spaces. These findings are crucial for optimizing park structures to deliver efficient CES and provide strategies for integrating ecosystem services into environmental management from a public perception perspective.

Equity, identity, and representation in outdoor recreation: ‘I am not an outdoors person’

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the recreational experiences of African American residents in Hillsborough County, Florida at varied levels: institutional, recreational, and personal. To investigate the intricacy of perceptions and experiences among African Americans in the context of outdoor recreation, the first author used qualitative methods to provide in-depth investigation into African American residents’ perceptions of recreation in Hillsborough County, Florida. Our analysis revealed four overarching themes: 1) Racialised Outdoor Leisure Identity, 2) Representation Matters, 3) Recreational Constraints and Opportunities, and 4) Equity in Leisure Experiences. The findings of this study add to the literatures on outdoor leisure identity and recreation of African Americans and their perceptions of outdoor identity, why representation matters, how safety constraints are negotiated, especially among women respondents, and of residents’ perceptions of equity within their parks.

Determining Urban Recreational Perceptions and Tendencies of Families: Ilkadım (Samsun) Example

Determining Urban Recreational Perceptions and Tendencies of Families: Ilkadım (Samsun) Example

University Students and Recreation in the Covid-19 Process: Metaphor Analysis

Background: Covid-19 pandemic disease, which affects the world, causes serious mortality rates. In addition to medical studies worldwide, various restriction rules have also been developed by countries in order to slow the pace of the pandemic and achieve normal living conditions. In order to reduce the sorrowful consequences of the pandemic process, home quarantines were decided and although social distance rules were applied in outdoor environments, hygiene conditions were tried to be increased at the maximum level and education was suspended for an indefinite period. A total of 39 students participated in this study, which aims to examine the recreation perceptions of sports science students in the Covid-19 process through metaphors. Aim: To analyze the situation of recreation activities in the covid-19 process through literature review, data analysis, and observations. Methods: Qualitative research method was used in this study. In this regard, our study was conducted using a (phenomenological) pattern, which is one of the qualitative research methods. Results: When Table 1 is examined, it is seen that the participants of the study consisted of 9 (23.1%) female students and 30 (76.9%) male students. The majority are around 21 (38.5%) and 22 (35.9) years old, the mean age of the total participant is 21. Only 1 (2.6%) person was infected with the Covid-19 virus, and the rest of 38 (97.4%) people were not infected. 2 (5.1%) of the participants reside in the village, 13 (33.3) in the district, and 24 (61.5) in the province. The situation of doing sports actively, on the other hand, 24 (61.5) people are doing sports actively, 15 (38.5) people are not doing sports actively. Conclusion: When the research results were examined, it was concluded that the participant students were exposed to various negative psychological situations such as their anxiety and stress levels increased, they became intolerant of uncertainty as their recreational activities stopped during the Covid-19 period. Keywords: Covid-19, recreation, metaphor

Investigating vehicle interior designs using models that evaluate user sensory experience and perceived value

AbstractThis study adopted a Kansei engineering methodology to examine users’ Kansei values toward automotive interior designs by conducting experiments under two models: sensory experience and perceived value evaluation models. In the sensory experience model, 60 participants were recruited to experience using 27 vehicle samples and to assign scores to eight Kansei keywords. Hayashi's quantification theory type 1 was used to calculate the weight of 12 interior space items and 40 interior design categories. In the perceived value evaluation model, 60 participants completed a questionnaire on the influence levels of the Kansei keywords on their Kansei values from the perspectives of four consumer perceived value dimensions. The questionnaire scores were then evaluated using factor analysis to extract nine primary factors affecting participants’ perceptions. This study determined that the interesting and dynamic perceptions corresponded to five design items under the Excitement Quality factors, vigorous and recreational perceptions corresponded to four items under the Relaxation and Comfort factor, and technological and luxurious perceptions corresponded to six items under the Luxury and Splendor factor and the Esteemed Image factor. These findings can help designers and researchers in the relevant sectors create automotive interior designs that fulfill the expectations of users.

Understanding Shanghai Residents’ Perception of Leisure Impact and Experience Satisfaction of Urban Community Parks: An Integrated and IPA Method

This exploratory study employed an integrated methodological approach to examine the relationship among several factors for residents in Shanghai when it came to the use of urban park spaces. The study was conducted using two sample groups of 1200 residents each, and around three community parks that contained a variety of recreation-related impacts. Open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires and correspondence analysis were used to reflect residents’ basic attitudes, recreational perception, and satisfaction evaluation by Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method, and mirrored preferences for future development of community parks. The results suggest that for residents, high levels of satisfaction with landscape and environment were advantages, but recreation space and facility were critical for the perception of the community parks. In comparison, management was found to be an opportunity factor to improve leisure satisfaction. The findings emphasized landscape, environment, space, facility, and management as elements that enhance recreational perception and avoid passive interference.

Health and Recreation Perceptions of Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Because of the high rates of obesity among people with developmental disabilities (DD) and our limited knowledge about their perceptions of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, it is imperative that we conduct research to expand our understanding of their attitudes towards and engagement in active recreation and healthy eating practices. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore (a) adults’ with DD attitudes toward healthy eating and active recreation; (b) adults’ with DD intentions and interests for active recreation; and (c) barriers to active recreation and healthy eating. Eighteen adults with DD (16 of whom were overweight) completed an interview. The analysis of the results was guided by Social Cognitive Theory and revealed that the participants with disabilities require additional education about what foods and activities are healthy. The participants also named several major barriers to participating in active recreation. The findings suggested a need for leisure education to focus on healthy lifestyle choices among people with DD and their social circle, including caretakers and family. Subscribe to TRJ

Managing city forests for or in spite of recreation? Perspectives of forest managers

This paper provides insights into foresters’ perceptions of forest recreation and its management. It is based on qualitative interviews with foresters in Berlin and the region of Stuttgart, Germany (N = 16). The results highlight the lack of strategic planning concerned with recreation management at both locations. Moreover, recreation management seems to depend mostly on the local forester in charge. Foresters’ perceptions of recreation, in turn, appear to be closely linked with how they perceive their work. Three narratives of the foresters’ self-perception are constructed that address three key items: perception of foresters’ skills and tasks, perception of the societal and political context of the foresters’ work and of their own scope of action in this context, and visions for future recreation management. The first narrative emphasises classical forestry and silvicultural aspects; the second understands foresters as multifunctional service providers for communal clients; and the last criticises the classical orientation of forestry and highlights new challenges for foresters in urban areas. These three views of recreation management in urban forests relate to classical forestry culture in different ways: either embodying this culture; differentiating from it; or adopting a new view which challenges this culture. Further research needs are discussed. The paper lastly argues for increased awareness of the importance of the social dimensions of forest management as one of the crucial future challenges for the forestry profession.

College Directors of Recreation's Perceptions and Practices regarding Student Use of Dietary Supplements and Performance Enhancing Substances

Dietary supplement (DS) use is widespread among college students. The use of performance enhancing supplements (PES) may be primed to increase among college students due to internet availability and social pressure to attain a fit physique. A 40-item survey was sent to a random sample of 600 college Directors of Recreation in the U.S. to determine their perceptions of student use of DS and PES. Despite concern for student use of DS and PES, 11% of college recreation facilities sold DS to students. Less than 1% of the Directors of Recreation surveyed correctly identified the common signs of PES use, 80% lacked a written PES policy, 62% lacked formal education on PES, and 67% lacked formal education on DS. Formal training may be needed for Directors of Recreation and recreation center staff to clarify the warning signs of PES use and outline the potential dangers of selling DS to patrons.

Examining the dimensionality of values for culturally diverse customers in parks and recreation

The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensionality and usefulness of Hofstede's measure of values and Kahle's List of Values (LOV) in the context of parks and recreation. Parks and recreation areas around the world increasingly serve as international visitor attractions and play an important role in the international tourism industry. Since values presumably differ among members of different cultures and purportedly influence people's perceptions and behaviours, studying values among culturally diverse visitors is important if we are to understand their influence on parks and recreation perceptions and behaviour. In 2005–2006, visitors to Pokfulam Country Park near metropolitan Hong Kong were surveyed. Using a purposive on-site convenience sampling approach at sites known to be heavily used by visitors with diverse ethnic backgrounds, a sample of 253 Hong Kong residents, 153 Mainland Chinese Visitors and 233 Westerners (including American, British, Australian, and European) was obtained. Analyses showed that when employed in a park and recreation context, Hofstede's measure of values must be further refined to provide acceptable validity, reliability, and utility. On the other hand, Kahle's List of Values (LOV) was found to be a meaningful and useful measure of values in a park setting. Two dimensions of values, external and internal, were extracted from the original four-dimension model and were compared among groups. Discussion of the findings and research implications are provided.

Effects of Place Identity, Place Dependence, and Experience-Use History on Perceptions of Recreation Impacts in a Natural Setting

It is generally accepted that recreation use in natural environments results in some degree of negative social and environmental impact. Environmental managers are tasked with mitigating the impact while providing beneficial recreation opportunities. Research on the factors that influence visitors' perceptions of environmental and social conditions is necessary to inform sound environmental management of protected natural areas. This study examines the effect of prior experience with the setting and two dimensions of place attachment (i.e., place identity and place dependence) on visitors' perceptions of three types of recreation impacts (i.e., depreciative behavior, environmental impacts, and recreation conflict). Principal components analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were used to test the study hypotheses using data collected from 351 visitors through on-site questionnaires (response rate of 93 percent). The results show that prior experience exhibited a moderate and significant direct positive effect on place identity, place dependence, and visitors' perceptions of recreation impacts. Contrary to study hypotheses and prior research, neither place dependence nor place identity exhibited a significant effect on the dependent variables. The results show that prior experience causes visitors to be more sensitive to depreciative behaviors, environmental impacts, and recreation conflict. These findings raise concerns over potential visitor displacement and deterioration of site conditions. Implications for resource managers are discussed, which include education, modifying visitor use patterns, and site design strategies.

Reducing Acidification: The Benefits of Increased Nature Quality. Investigating the Possibilities of the Contingent Valuation Method

In order to complete cost benefit analyses of acidification policies, an attempt was made to monetarize the benefits of increased nature quality. So far, several benefits of acidification abatement, such as reduced health risks, had been determined, but the benefits of increased nature quality were lacking, although nature is actually one of the most important reasons for abating acidification in the Netherlands. This study shows that CVM can be used to estimate two specific benefits of increased nature quality due to acidification abatement: the non-use value and the recreational perception value. For other benefits, other valuation methods are needed. This study also shows that CVM is not suited for specifying benefits of different acidification scenarios, which differ little in physical effects on ecosystems. If abatement scenarios are rather extreme, it may be possible to differentiate benefits per scenario. A CVM questionnaire was designed to determine the difference between the welfare generation of healthy ecosystems not suffering from acidification and unhealthy ecosystems affected by acidification. A striking result of the pre test was that all respondents were familiar with the environmental theme of acidification. The results of the pre test suggest that the benefits of nature may be quite large and that they should therefore not be overlooked.

Assessment on and Perception of Visitors' Environmental Impacts of Nature Tourism: A Case Study of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

This paper examines trampling impacts on vegetation and soil as well as visitors' perception of these impacts in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China. Results indicate that visitor usage is proportionate to trampling impacts, with the two most used trails–Yellowstone Village Trail and Gold Whip Stream Trail–having the highest values in Soil Impact Index (SII) and highest rate of scarred trees. Vegetation and soil near 'Treasure Box for Celestial Books' are the most impacted with the Impact Vegetational Index (IVI) being 87.50% and SII being 2.27, respectively. This spot has the highest level of unacceptability. However, visitors' perceptions of the impacts on their hiking satisfaction are not always consistent with the actual physical deterioration. The unacceptability level for 'Gold Whip Crag' was much higher than 'The General Rock' despite the latter having higher IVI values than the former. It is argued that visitors' perceptions of recreation impacts could be influenced by the interaction of IVI, SII, and the size of the area impacted. Other factors such as visual sensitivity and social elements could also have an effect on visitors' judgements. Finally, this paper proposes management strategies for improving the park's visitor and environmental management.

Older women in retirement communities: Perceptions of recreation and leisure

Seven focus groups were conducted to examine leisure perceptions of 44 Anglo women, age 64 and older, living in retirement communities. Participants reported extensive involvement in numerous activities throughout their lives. Their comprehension of recreation and leisure mirrored many of the traditional definitions. Recreation was viewed as refreshment, renewal, and reward for work. Some described feelings of guilt when idle. Others characterized recreation as activity requiring effort. Overall, the women believed that recreation was a positive experience. Leisure was perceived as freedom from purpose and demands. Most also perceived leisure to be activity and positive. The discerning difference between recreation and leisure was that leisure was without rules, structure, or effort. Activity participation was essential to well‐being. Focus groups were found to be useful in facilitating discussion of recreation and leisure with this study group. A composite term, enjoyable activities, shows potential for helping older adults identify and expand their descriptions of recreation and leisure experiences.

The legacy of the Separate Amenities Act: Perceptions of recreation and future planning in the Northern Province, South Africa

Since 1990, South Africa has been undergoing a socio‐political transformation from apartheid to non‐racial democracy. This transformation culminated in April 1994, with the first‐ever general election in which people of all races participated. However, in this period of change there has not been much integration of previously separate recreational spaces, especially in more conservative regions such as the Northern Province. This article examines the perceptions, knowledge and awareness of urban blacks with regard to outdoor recreation. It also explores their expectations under the new political dispensation, as envisaged by the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of the new government. Finally, it looks at five key aspects of planning and development for deprived communities, namely education, marketing, structural constraints, public participation in development, and the development of tourism.