Recreation Survey Of Buffalo

Author : Ryan M. Smith
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 132 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (299 download)

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Download or read book Buffalo National River written by Ryan M. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: River recreation presents unique challenges to recreation managers and river service providers. Unlike most land or lake dependent recreation the opportunity to float a river and the extent to which quality experiences are likely largely dictated by immediate weather conditions and seasonal weather patterns. Rain events, droughts or other changes in instream flow can significantly diminish or completely inhibit recreational river use for days, weeks, or even months. Moreover, when weather conditions and instream flow are ideal, river use can be intense. Because of this variability and the potential for short, but intense recreation use seasons planning for and maintaining quality visitor experiences can be difficult. A great need also exits to communicate with visitors about the unique characteristics of river recreation. Previous work has focused on the characteristics of groups participating in river recreation. This study is unique in that it will combine trip characteristics with spatial data. Two study objectives were identified that contribute directly to recreation management and the delivery of visitor services: (1) examine visitors' place of residence and distance traveled to river and (2) explore differences in trip characteristics between (a) urban and rural residents, (b) private groups and groups using commercial services, and (c) groups traveling varying distances. Onsite surveys were conducted with a sample of groups floating the Buffalo National River during the 2006 floating season. Information about group characteristics, trip characteristics, and place of residence was gathered. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Science 13.0 (SPSS). Statistically significant differences were found between urban and rural groups, private groups and groups using commercial services and groups traveling different distances in their group and trip characteristics. Knowing who visitors are, how they recreate on the river, and where they reside will enable managers and recreation service providers to better anticipate and respond to recreation demands and to better communicate with various segments of their clientele through messages targeted geographically. Service providers in particular, will be better informed about the regional distribution of their customer-base and their needs.