Lo Yuen Yee. / Thesis submitted in: December 2004. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-145). / Abstracts and questionnaires in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.ix / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Problem --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Definition of Terms --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Scope of the Study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- "RECREATION, COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION AND THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME" / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Recreation and Countryside Recreation --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- The Values of Outdoor Recreation and Wilderness Experience --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- The Importance of Recreation --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Problems Associated with Recreation --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- The Concept of Outdoor Recreation Management --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Recreational Impacts --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Recreation Carrying Capacity --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Limits of Acceptable Change --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Recreational Experience and Visitor Satisfaction --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Definitions --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definitions of Recreation Choice and Preference --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Recreation Setting of Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Definition of Visitors' Recreational Experience and Satisfaction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Concepts of Satisfaction in Outdoor Recreation --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- "Definitions of Recreation Activities, Non-Recreation Activities, Active Recreation and Passive Recreation" --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Hong Kong's Country Parks Programme --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Background of the Country Parks Programme --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- The Establishment of the Country Parks --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- The Themes and Design of Country Parks --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Conservation in Country Parks --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Recreation in Country Parks --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Education in Country Parks --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Conflicts in the Country Parks Programme --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- The Elements of Change --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.8.1 --- Population --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.8.2 --- Age Structure --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.8.3 --- Income Level --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.8.4 --- Mobility --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Construction of a Theoretical Framework --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data Collection --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Defining Information Needed --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Defining Methods Used --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Sampling --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Sampling Size --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Sampling Frame and Sampling Method --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Period of Survey and Study Areas --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Questionnaire Design and Pilot Study --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- "Survey Implementation, Coding of Answers and Data Processing" --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Summary --- p.49 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RECREATION CHOICE AND PREFERENCE / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2 --- Perception of Visitors --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- "Rating of Conservation, Education and Recreation" --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Visitors' Immediate Perception of Country Parks --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Development Versus Continual Protection of Country Parks --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3 --- Motivations of Visitors --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Reasons for Visiting Country Parks --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Purposes of Visit --- p.58 / Chapter 4.4 --- "Activities Performed, Preferred and Demanded in Country Parks" --- p.59 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Activities Performed by Visitors --- p.59 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Activities Preferred by Visitors --- p.62 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Facility Provision and Matching Activities in Country Parks --- p.63 / Chapter 4.5 --- Choice between Passive Recreation and Active Recreation --- p.65 / Chapter 4.6 --- Changes since Inception of the Country Parks Programme --- p.67 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Changes in Reasons of Visit since 1982 --- p.68 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Performed Activities --- p.69 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Preferred Activities --- p.71 / Chapter 4.7 --- Changes in the Profile of Country Parks Visitors --- p.72 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Age Distribution --- p.72 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Educational Attainment of Visitors --- p.73 / Chapter 4.8 --- Conclusions --- p.73 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND SATISFACTION LEVELS / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2 --- Facility and Services Evaluation --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Visitors' Perception of Facility and Services Provision --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Visitors' Satisfaction Levels on Facilities and Services --- p.80 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Areas in Need of Improvements --- p.86 / Chapter 5.3 --- Indicators of Visitors' Satisfaction Levels --- p.94 / Chapter 5.4 --- Satisfaction Levels of the Visit --- p.97 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusions --- p.98 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- PROGRAMME EVALUATION AND SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2 --- Evaluation of the Country Parks Programme --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Realizing Aims of the Country Parks Programme --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Changing Recreation Setting in Country Parks --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Facility and Service Provisions in Country Parks --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3 --- Meeting New Recreational Needs in the 21st Century --- p.108 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusions --- p.112 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSIONS / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 7.2 --- Major Findings of the Study --- p.113 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Recreation Opportunity of Country Parks Visitors --- p.113 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Recreational Experiences and Satisfaction Levels of Country Parks Visitors --- p.115 / Chapter 7.3 --- Implications on the Planning and Management of Country Parks --- p.116 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- The Role of Country Parks in the 21st Century --- p.116 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Improvement made to the Country Parks Programme --- p.117 / Chapter 7.3.2.1 --- Improvement of Facility and Service Provisions --- p.118 / Chapter 7.3.2.2 --- Arrangement of Flexible Activity Programmes --- p.119 / Chapter 7.4 --- Limitations of Present Study --- p.120 / Chapter 7.5 --- Areas for Further Studies --- p.121 / APPENDICES / Chapter IA --- Visitor survey questionnaire in English --- p.123 / Chapter IB --- Visitor survey questionnaire in Chinese --- p.128 / Chapter IIA --- Comparison of recreation facilities within picnic places between 1980/81 and 2001/2002 --- p.133 / Chapter IIB --- "Comparison of footpaths, trails and walks within country parks between 1980/81 and 2001/2002" --- p.134 / Chapter IIC --- Summary of activity programmes provided by AFCD in country parks --- p.135 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.136