The basic question facing recreation planners is: how much and what kinds of recreation opportunities should public agencies provide? This thesis attempts to answer this question by examining recreation theory in order to determine just what it is that public recreation is expected to accomplish. Early recreation theories, while they provided an answer in the form of nationwide standards, were found to be too simplistic. More recent theories, particularly those based on humanistic philosophy or "recreational need", are too open ended to give any qualitative or quantitative guidance to the public recreation planner. In order for it to be worthwhile for society generally to provide recreation opportunities, society generally must benefit. For this reason, theories based on the individual (humanistic theories) are unsatisfactory as a sole basis for recreation planning. It appears that it is not possible to take a purely positivistic approach to recreation planning at the present time because too little is known about what recreation (or its absence) does to an individual to be able to determine how much is enough. It is concluded that until such time as the necessary information on the effects of recreation is forthcoming, normative approaches employing community values will be necessary. In the first part of the thesis a recreation planning model is developed. The model begins with community values, as expressed through public participation, in the form of goals. The goals are then converted via objectives into facilities and programs. The recreation opportunities thus provided produce personal satisfactions and social benefits. The latter are compared with the original goals to determine the effectiveness of the recreation program (program evaluation). In Part II the Planning Model is compared with current recreation planning practice, as exemplified by the Vancouver (B.C.) Master Plan for Parks and Recreation. The following significant differences are noted: 1) the model is devoted to fulfilling long-term goals while the Master Plan emphasizes meeting demand for facilities and programs 2) the model relies on citizen input for direction while the Master Plan places greater emphasis on professional judgment 3) The Model requires a commitment to program evaluation and ongoing planing while the Master Planning process is oriented toward the production of a single end product. These differences imply that implementation of the Planning Model will require a significant amount of effort on the part of the community in terms of choosing the right planning techniques, committing sufficient resources, and developing the necessary political will power. It is hoped that recreation planners will find the Model sufficiently compelling Intellectually to go to the effort that its implementation will entail. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

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Many services fail. Failures are those encounters during which the user assesses the service as flawed (Maxham & Netemeyer, 2003; Palmer, Beggs, & Keown-McMullan, 2000), or improper (Maxham, 2001). An emergent service failure literature has determined that such failures play an important role in user perceptions and subsequent behaviours. The present study sought to discover the ways in which possible users responded to an ambiguous service failure. The purpose of the study was to twofold: (a) to understand the situational, emotional, and dispositional factors which influence users??? likelihood of complaining behaviours; (b) to develop connections between these factors and users??? preferences for service recovery. We were guided by several research questions including: RQ1: When the cause of the failure is ambiguous, to what/whom do users attribute blame? RQ2: How well do attribution of blame and perceived failure severity predict negative emotions? RQ3: What is the relative influence of each negative emotion in predicting the likelihood of each complaining behavior? RQ4: Does user disposition intervene in the relationship between emotion and complaining? RQ5: What is the role of appraisals and emotion in determining service recovery preferences? Borrowing from the service quality, consumer behaviour, health, and therapy literatures, we develop a conceptual framework for answering our questions. Consistent with recent research, we conceptualized that negative emotions following service failures were dependent on users??? appraisals of the situation. Specifically, we looked at the effects of failure severity and attribution of blame on anger, frustration, shame, guilt, regret, and dissatisfaction. We then conceptualized complaining behaviour as a coping mechanism for these negative emotions, and preferences for service recovery as manifestations of immediate desires users would have to address their emotions. To test our theory, an experiment with hypothetical scenarios and a survey instrument was developed. We manipulated two conditions (time lost and money lost) at different points in the survey while participants while self-selected into an attribution of blame condition (Self, provider, other). Undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo (n=288) served as the sample. The questionnaire assessed such variables as attitudes towards complaining, locus of control, tendency for avoidance, emotional response, complaining behaviours, and preferences for service recovery. Results from multivariate analyses confirmed that appraisals help predict negative emotions, and that negative emotions influence complaining behaviours. Results also demonstrated that appraisals and emotions do begin to explain variance in service recovery preferences. Contrary to the interactionist approach, results failed to support the notion that personal dispositions (such as attitudes and personality traits) moderate the relationship between situational factors and behaviour. Finally, conclusions for the study are made, and implications for future research and the design of service recovery strategies are discussed.

This thesis contains two studies that explore different methods of visitor management in recreation. The management strategies studied here are both relatively indirect approaches intended to minimize the environmental and social impacts that visitors cause in protected areas. The Annapolis Rocks study focuses on visitors' evaluations of a site management strategy that shifted camping from a flat, open area to constructed side-hill campsites. A visitor questionnaire was administered before and after the treatment to determine visitors' ratings of importance and satisfaction for various campsite attributes. We found some evidence of visitor displacement but concluded that the site management strategy supported the intentions of the managers. The Leave No Trace study evaluates the effectiveness of the Trainer courses in improving the knowledge, ethics, and behavior of the participants and encouraging them to teach others in the community. This study employed pre-course, post-course, and follow-up questionnaires to evaluate the participants' short-term and long-term gains from the course. Trainer course participants showed significant short-term and long-term gains from the course, with a slight decline in the total gain four months after the course. The participants showed improvements in low-impact behaviors, suggesting that education is an effective visitor management strategy. These studies demonstrate that managers can be successful at controlling visitor impacts without relying on stringent regulations and enforcement. / Master of Science

In 2008, 75% of municipal sport and recreation facilities in South Africa were underutilised, while 62% of these facilities were reported to be poorly managed (SRIMP, 2008). A possible reason for these reported findings can be the lack of managerial skills. However, Goslin (2003:39) mentions that little research on recreation management and education has been done in South Africa, which highlights the increasing need for knowledge to establish and maintain future management practices (Goslin, 2003:40). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the management competencies applied by recreation managers for effective management of local community centres. In addition, this study compares the gaps between the recreation managers’ qualifications and the requirements for successfully providing the public with quality recreation opportunities in community centres. A qualitative method was applied as a practical guide for the research. The seven regional recreation managers of the City of Johannesburg were selected for the case study. The sample size (n=5) was determined through data saturation. Data was gathered by means of a semi–structured interview with each regional manager (De Vos, 2005:296; Veal, 2006:386). Through the process of data analysis two main categories were identified. The first, Tasks and limitations experienced by regional managers in Johannesburg pointed out that the daily tasks of facility, programme and human resource management is seen as essential responsibilities to recreation managers and it is unfortunate that the majority of problems relating to these tasks are due to unskilled staff that must be supervised on a daily basis. The second, Training needs of recreation staff at recreation centres: Regional managers’ perspective indicated that the staff’s inability to understand the term recreation may in fact be caused by organisations’ bad choices regarding employment or the lack of setting clear criteria for job positions (Mull et al., 2005:227). The answer to training needs for already employed personnel, saving both money and time, may be short courses. By working with each specific centre’s problems and training needs, as well as with each individual employee’s competencies, the short courses could be designed to specifically help better equip the staff member and in turn provide better recreation services to the community. / Thesis (M.A. (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In 2008, 75% of municipal sport and recreation facilities in South Africa were underutilised, while 62% of these facilities were reported to be poorly managed (SRIMP, 2008). A possible reason for these reported findings can be the lack of managerial skills. However, Goslin (2003:39) mentions that little research on recreation management and education has been done in South Africa, which highlights the increasing need for knowledge to establish and maintain future management practices (Goslin, 2003:40). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the management competencies applied by recreation managers for effective management of local community centres. In addition, this study compares the gaps between the recreation managers’ qualifications and the requirements for successfully providing the public with quality recreation opportunities in community centres. A qualitative method was applied as a practical guide for the research. The seven regional recreation managers of the City of Johannesburg were selected for the case study. The sample size (n=5) was determined through data saturation. Data was gathered by means of a semi–structured interview with each regional manager (De Vos, 2005:296; Veal, 2006:386). Through the process of data analysis two main categories were identified. The first, Tasks and limitations experienced by regional managers in Johannesburg pointed out that the daily tasks of facility, programme and human resource management is seen as essential responsibilities to recreation managers and it is unfortunate that the majority of problems relating to these tasks are due to unskilled staff that must be supervised on a daily basis. The second, Training needs of recreation staff at recreation centres: Regional managers’ perspective indicated that the staff’s inability to understand the term recreation may in fact be caused by organisations’ bad choices regarding employment or the lack of setting clear criteria for job positions (Mull et al., 2005:227). The answer to training needs for already employed personnel, saving both money and time, may be short courses. By working with each specific centre’s problems and training needs, as well as with each individual employee’s competencies, the short courses could be designed to specifically help better equip the staff member and in turn provide better recreation services to the community. / Thesis (M.A. (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Research into the use of natural resources and protected areas for the pursuit of outdoor recreational opportunities has been examined by a number of researchers. One activity with growth in recent years is river recreation, the use of rivers for rafting, kayaking, canoeing and instructional purposes. These many uses involve different groups of individuals, creating management complexity. Understanding the various inputs is critical for effective management The Lower Kananaskis River, located in Kananaskis Country in Southwestern Alberta, was area chosen to develop an understanding the inputs necessary for effective management. Specifically, this study explored the recreational use of the river in an effort to create recommendations on how to more effectively manage use of the Lower Kananaskis River and associated day-use facilities in the future. Kananaskis Country is a 4,250 km2 multi-use recreation area located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on the western border of Alberta. Since its designation, the purpose of the area, has been to protect the natural features of the area while providing quality facilities that would complement recreational opportunities available in the area. Over the years, the multi-use goal of the area has led to issues surrounding the management of the recreational opportunities available, including the multiple use of the Lower Kananaskis River. The Lower Kananaskis River is a section of the larger Kananaskis River, one of six rivers flowing through Kananaskis Country. The Kananaskis River flows for 84 km. northward in the Kananaskis Country from the Upper Kananaskis Lake through the development of the Lower Kananaskis Lake and Barrier Lake to the Bow River. This thesis was only concerned about a small section of this river, the lower portion. The Lower Kananaskis River is a 2 km stretch of the river located within Bow Valley Provincial Park, with an additional 4 km of river outside of the park that many users utilize. This river has become a widely used and well-known recreational paddling destination in Kananaskis Country and Bow Valley Provincial Park and with this has come concerns over its use and management. A mixed methods approach was implemented to examine current use levels Both surveys and participant observations were used to develop a better understanding of current use levels (i.e. time, type) and to gather information from users. At the same time, structured interviews were held with key policy leaders to further explore current management issues and concerns surrounding the Lower Kananaskis River. Analysis of the data collected from river users revealed that the area is widely used by both commercial and recreational users. These two groups of users have learned to adapt to one another’s activities. Both groups expressed high level of satisfaction, but continued growth in use will probably pose problems with user’s experience and satisfaction. In many cases, users also recognized the need for improvements to river infrastructure both on and off the river. Users indicated that changes were needed in the parking areas to accommodate all of the vehicles and users, work was needed at the put-ins and take-outs to accommodate the increases in users along with work on the river features and at the day use sites. Users also recognized that the area is becoming more widely used and feel that changes are needed in how the area is maintained and managed in order to deal with its continued growth. The interviews with policy leaders emphasized the well-known nature of the issues of the area and emphasized issues within the current management structure. Policy leaders were more critical of the current management structure of the river than the users. The critical comments from the policy leaders were expected, as they are more aware of the management issues than recreational users. The policy leaders made many insightful comments for change in the interviews and recognize that park management has shown low levels of understanding and responses to the expressed needs of the users, and recommendations of previous research. This research found several examples of management ineffectiveness. It was concluded that the low levels of response from management is due to the lack of management capability. With the continued growth of the area new management demands can be expected. This in tern will require improved management framework and guideline. With this, it was recommended that increased management capability is required. In order to assist in the development of this capability the research developed an adapted outdoor recreation management framework. Application of this framework would help to ensure that the area is managed more effectively in the future.

Research into the use of natural resources and protected areas for the pursuit of outdoor recreational opportunities has been examined by a number of researchers. One activity with growth in recent years is river recreation, the use of rivers for rafting, kayaking, canoeing and instructional purposes. These many uses involve different groups of individuals, creating management complexity. Understanding the various inputs is critical for effective management The Lower Kananaskis River, located in Kananaskis Country in Southwestern Alberta, was area chosen to develop an understanding the inputs necessary for effective management. Specifically, this study explored the recreational use of the river in an effort to create recommendations on how to more effectively manage use of the Lower Kananaskis River and associated day-use facilities in the future. Kananaskis Country is a 4,250 km2 multi-use recreation area located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on the western border of Alberta. Since its designation, the purpose of the area, has been to protect the natural features of the area while providing quality facilities that would complement recreational opportunities available in the area. Over the years, the multi-use goal of the area has led to issues surrounding the management of the recreational opportunities available, including the multiple use of the Lower Kananaskis River. The Lower Kananaskis River is a section of the larger Kananaskis River, one of six rivers flowing through Kananaskis Country. The Kananaskis River flows for 84 km. northward in the Kananaskis Country from the Upper Kananaskis Lake through the development of the Lower Kananaskis Lake and Barrier Lake to the Bow River. This thesis was only concerned about a small section of this river, the lower portion. The Lower Kananaskis River is a 2 km stretch of the river located within Bow Valley Provincial Park, with an additional 4 km of river outside of the park that many users utilize. This river has become a widely used and well-known recreational paddling destination in Kananaskis Country and Bow Valley Provincial Park and with this has come concerns over its use and management. A mixed methods approach was implemented to examine current use levels Both surveys and participant observations were used to develop a better understanding of current use levels (i.e. time, type) and to gather information from users. At the same time, structured interviews were held with key policy leaders to further explore current management issues and concerns surrounding the Lower Kananaskis River. Analysis of the data collected from river users revealed that the area is widely used by both commercial and recreational users. These two groups of users have learned to adapt to one another’s activities. Both groups expressed high level of satisfaction, but continued growth in use will probably pose problems with user’s experience and satisfaction. In many cases, users also recognized the need for improvements to river infrastructure both on and off the river. Users indicated that changes were needed in the parking areas to accommodate all of the vehicles and users, work was needed at the put-ins and take-outs to accommodate the increases in users along with work on the river features and at the day use sites. Users also recognized that the area is becoming more widely used and feel that changes are needed in how the area is maintained and managed in order to deal with its continued growth. The interviews with policy leaders emphasized the well-known nature of the issues of the area and emphasized issues within the current management structure. Policy leaders were more critical of the current management structure of the river than the users. The critical comments from the policy leaders were expected, as they are more aware of the management issues than recreational users. The policy leaders made many insightful comments for change in the interviews and recognize that park management has shown low levels of understanding and responses to the expressed needs of the users, and recommendations of previous research. This research found several examples of management ineffectiveness. It was concluded that the low levels of response from management is due to the lack of management capability. With the continued growth of the area new management demands can be expected. This in tern will require improved management framework and guideline. With this, it was recommended that increased management capability is required. In order to assist in the development of this capability the research developed an adapted outdoor recreation management framework. Application of this framework would help to ensure that the area is managed more effectively in the future.

No description available.

This thesis was undertaken with the express purpose off developing an undergraduate curriculum in recreation and park administration for Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. The methodology employed by this investigator included a curriculum response survey of ten selected professional educators in recreation and park administration, a curriculum survey analysis of ten selected colleges and universities in recreation administration, an interview with four selected academic departments at Ball State University, and the employment of national standards for professional education in recreation and park administration.In addition, the methodology employed provided criterion for the selection of the professional academic course offerings in recreation and park administration and the general education emphasis of the undergraduate major.