Modelling recreation choice: A case study of management alternatives in Chicago

Abstract

Lieber S. R. and Fesenmaier D. R. (1984) Modelling recreation choice: a case study of management alternatives in Chicago, Reg. Studies 18, 31–43. Recently, behavioural geographers have been criticized for failing to provide results which are of value in the explanation of real-world geographical activity. An experimental approach to the analysis of recreation behaviour and trail areas in metropolitan Chicago illustrates the application of behavioural research and its utility in resolving a key policy question in trail management. For several day-use recreation activities, five trail attributes were systematically manipulated to examine the changes that resulted in recreationists' satisfaction levels and the conflicts that arose over the manipulation of trail characteristics. The experimental approach used here revealed that single purpose trails in multiple-purpose planning regions are less likely to cause public controversy than multiple-purpose trails in the same region and should be considered in recreation management.