Landscapes are formed across space and over time by both natural processes and human artifice. Within urban landscapes, natural processes have been harnessed as the basis for infrastructural systems, which support urban life. However, the relationship between infrastructure and natural processes has become increasingly opaque. This thesis seeks to reveal the interrelationship between natural, infrastructural and human processes by integrating a wastewater treatment facility with a public park, offering recreational and cultural amenities, in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. The design entails the addition of a “new landscape,” including built facilities on three sites within the park space. The architecture of these sites engages in multiple and layered flows of nature, infrastructure and community, acknowledging the complex history, ecology and diverse programs existing within the chosen site. The concept of edges is used as a tool for relating diverse programmatic elements and the complexity of site.

Parks have a long-standing history of providing leisure and recreation environments to local neighbourhood residents. They are designed to enhance the livability of communities and to provide recreation opportunities for individual health benefits. Recent studies have found that parks are underutilized for physical activity. In order to address this concern, this thesis research included two studies addressing the association between five park characteristics (i.e., park feature and amenity type, condition, cleanliness, neighbourhood type, and a park program) and levels of park usage and physical activity behaviour. Manuscript 1 explores park feature and amenity type, condition, cleanliness, and neighbourhood type in association with park usage and physical activity using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) and the Environmental Assessment of Public Recreation Spaces (EARPS) observational measurements. Park usage differed between park feature types (p<.001) and neighbourhood types (p<.001), with higher rates of park use and physical activity noted in urban neighbourhoods, and on splash pad, pool, path, and play structure feature types. Physical activity levels were associated with park feature type (p<.001), condition (p<.001) and cleanliness (p<.001) as well as neighbourhood type (p< .05). Manuscript 2 reports on the effectiveness of a family park physical activity program using questionnaire feedback (n=28), and observational comparisons’ of park usage and physical activity when the program was and was not occurring. No significant difference was found for overall park usage and physical activity levels, however the program target area significantly reported more usage (p<.05) when the program was offered. A majority of program participants were currently moderately-vigorously active (79%), met Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (57%), came to the park with family members (93.1%), walked to the park (85.7%), and visited the park regularly (62%). From these collective findings, this thesis makes an important contribution to furthering our understanding of associations between park characteristics and park usage and physical activity levels. Findings from this study will be useful in guiding park researchers, planners, and designers as well as, park program practitioners and community agencies in promoting and creating more user-friendly and active neighbourhood park environments, as a means to increase population health amongst Canadians. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 10:21:42.042

No description available.

Interest in park services and understanding leisure decision making has become increasingly important in the last fifty years. Canadians in particular have an affinity for spending time in natural areas and often in parks. Parks and protected areas provide a reasonable and approachable place for people to relax, learn and socialize. This research project consists of interviews and surveys of policy makers and park users at William A. Switzer Provincial Park in Alberta, following the renovation of its visitor centre. The research asks questions related to the visitor centres goals, who visited, and what the renovation might reveal about changing leisure choices. People visited the centre particularly if they were new to the area and visitor centre clientele responded positively. This research shows how parks respond to the leisure public by providing access to educational and social opportunities at a park.

Thesis (M.Env.St.) -- University of Adelaide, Centre for Environmental Studies, 1983. / Typescript (photocopy).

Zugl.: Salzburg, Univ., Diss., 2006

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University Dept. of History.

Thesis (Electroni). Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University Dept. of History. / Also available in print ed.

Thesis (M.A.) B.Y.U. Dept. of History.

Thesis (M.A.) B.Y.U. Dept. of History. / Electronic thesis. Also available in print ed.