Citizen perceptions of appropriate levels of maintenance for parks in a major metropolitan area /
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1981.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to ProQuest copy Link to OAKTrust copy ProQuest, Abstract |
| Abstract: | The study sought to identify public perceptions of appropriate levels of maintenance in parks, creeks and greenbelt areas in a major metropolitan area, and to explore the relationship of those perceptions as a factor in determining levels of park visitation. A second primary intent was to determine whether the levels of maintenance perceived to exist in parks, creeks and greenbelts are necessarily the same levels of maintenance citizens want to see adopted in these areas. A total of 507 respondents were interviewed in their homes. The city was divided into 10 zones, delineated on the basis of socio-demo-graphic and cultural differences. The sample was selected by means of a geographic cluster sample. Respondents were presented with three pairs of photographs which depicted high (intensive), medium, and low- (minimal) levels of park maintenance and asked which they preferred. The question was repeated, but respondents were then informed of the annual cost per acre of the various levels of maintenance for a typical 20 acre park. No compromise of preferences occurred when respondents were made aware of the wide differences in costs between the alternate levels of park maintenance. A. similar approach, was used, to identify citizens' preferred levels of maintenance of creek and greenbelt areas with, and without cost constraints. Again, cost factors were not of sufficient concern to area residents for them, to compromise their preferred level for creek and greenbelt maintenance. A series of scale items were included on the questionnaire to assess respondents' perceptions of grounds maintenance, maintenance of sanitation services, and maintenance of recreation facilities at typical parks. In all these areas, overall perceptions of the sample were generally positive, but there were some differences between sub-groups of citizens. The quality of parks maintenance in the study area was rated "excellent" by 26 percent and "good" by 58 percent of respondents with only 16 percent rating It as "average" or "poor". There was some relationship between respondents' perceived quality of maintenance and the extent of their park visitation... |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | "Major subject: Recreation and Resources Development." Typescript (photocopy). Vita. |
| Physical Description: | xii, 135 leaves : color illustrations, map, forms ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-87). |