| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to develop an operationally useful planning model, based on observed patterns of visitation, for the systematic location of recreation facilities in the City of Dallas, Texas. Specific objectives were: 1. To determine mathematical relationships between visitation patterns and selected factors having identifiable influences on visitation. 2. To provide supporting information for interpretation of visitation patterns by a form of graphic display. 3. To develop planning guidelines based on the findings of the study. Data were collected by the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Dallas and included origin and destination information on a ten percent sample of approximately 150,000 visitors to 14 recreation centers. This information was examined for the more salient characteristics of visitation, per capita visitation rates, distance-decay relationships, as well as use radii and modal access distances for the recreation centers. The data were subsequently employed in two multiple linear regression equations directed at analyzing the relationships of visitation patterns to selected socio-economic factors measured by 1960 Census data. The first regression analysis was based on all data from the study grouped by census tracts. An equation describing the best fit between per capita visitation (the dependent variable) and distance, percentage of children, and mobility accounted for approximately 46 percent of the variation among census tracts. ... |
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