Edwin Gómez

The Ethnicity and Public Recreation Participation Model

Eleven conceptual models that illustrate the relationship between ethnicity/race and recreation are examined. From Lindsay and Ogle (1972) to Floyd, Gramman, and Saenz (1993), the reader is taken through the array of theoretical models that have been used to determine recreation participation by ethnic/racial groups in America. A new conceptual model is created that incorporates elements from each of the previous 11 models. This new model is termed the Ethnicity and Public Recreation Participation Model (EPRP Model)

Residential attributes, park use, and perceived benefits: an exploration of individual and neighbourhood characteristics.

Abstract The authors explore the recreation pattern of Puerto Ricans in Southbridge, Massachusetts; to date, a relatively understudied Latino ethnic group in the field of recreation and leisure studies. The authors employed several OLS regression analyses to identify the individual, residency, and neighbourhood factors associated with patterns of Puerto Rican park use and perceived park use benefits. The findings suggest that factors associated with ethnicity, socio‐economic status, park alternatives, and neighbourhood characteristics do affect park use and perceived benefits, especially when used in combination. Lastly, our findings indicate that objective measures of distance to the resource do not significantly impact park use or perceived park use benefits.

Puerto Ricans and Recreation Participation: Methodological, Cultural, and Perceptual Considerations

Abstract This study examined Puerto Ricans in central Massachusetts, USA, and explored issues of acculturation, park use, and the perception of benefits provided by public parks. A process for gaining access to, and garnering support from, the Puerto Rican community is discussed. The key elements of this process is bilingualism, key informants, and community involvement. The relationships between acculturation (ACC), perceived benefits of recreation (BEN), and recreation participation/park use (REC) were explored. Scales were developed for ACC, BEN, and REC. ACC was found to be a very reliable scale, and suggestions for future use are made. Additionally, differences in high, moderate, and low users and highly acculturated, bicultural, and slightly acculturated individuals were explored. Contrary to earlier research, the analyses indicate that lesser acculturated Puerto Ricans use parks substantially more than higher acculturated Puerto Ricans. Findings also indicate that the higher acculturation levels perceive less benefits derived from recreation. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Interpersonal and Social Values Conflict among Coastal Recreation Activity Groups in Hawaii

Abstract We report on user conflicts at six Hawaiian beaches and compare the extent to which evaluations of coastal recreation conflicts differ among groups. This information can be used to help understand current recreation users at coastal sites in Hawaii. Exploratory factor analyses supported a multidimensional interpersonal conflict factor based on four activity subgroups and a multidimensional social values conflict factor based on three activity subgroups. In this study, interpersonal and social values conflicts of Hawaii recreationists align themselves by recreation activity group and not by behavior. ANOVAs and t-tests were used to assess the conflict differences according to gender, residency status, location, age, and recreation activities. A discussion follows regarding the implications of our findings on managing conflict and users.

Surf localism in Costa Rica: exploring territoriality among Costa Rican and foreign resident surfers

ABSTRACT This study examines the phenomenon of surf localism among local Costa Rican and foreign resident surfers in Pavones, Costa Rica, a well-known surf break considered the second longest left-breaking wave in the world. A multidisciplinary territoriality framework is used to explore the ways in which surfers expressed ownership, defined boundaries and regulated behavior in the surf break. Using an ethnographic approach, the first author engaged in participant observation in the surf and the community. She also conducted interviews with Costa Rican residents, resident foreigners and tourists. The findings indicate a number of differences between Costa Rican surfers and resident foreigners with regard to ownership, boundary definition and regulating behavior. Costa Rican surfers felt a greater sense of ownership for the surf break, but were less likely to start verbal or physical conflicts with other surfers than resident foreigners. Resident foreigners indicated feeling a right to the surf break, more so than ownership, and were more likely to verbally confront tourists who were not following surf etiquette. There was also evidence of a cyclical pattern of localism. Many participants blamed conflicts between surfers on increased crowding. The results also highlight the importance of constant destination monitoring in order to ensure a positive surfing experience for Costa Ricans, foreigners and tourists in a community highly reliant on surf tourism income.

Urban parks and psychological sense of community.

Abstract Parks and other urban natural spaces are increasingly becoming recognized as valuable for supporting socially healthier urban communities. Currently, however, there remains a relative shortage of empirical research specifically evaluating the relationship. This study explores psychological sense of community (PSOC) and its relationship to urban parks, using survey data collected in Norfolk, Virginia. Regression, t-test, and chi square analyses were used to examine how park use frequency and proximity are related to overall PSOC and its components. Our findings suggest that park use has a relationship to PSOC among respondents in our sample. More significantly for park planners and managers, our results also suggest that the presence of nearby parks, regardless of visitation, also has a positive relationship to PSOC.

Home Style Puerto Rican: A Study of Language Maintenance and Use in New England

Abstract This study explores Spanish language maintenance in Southbridge, Massachusetts, a suburban town with a vibrant Puerto Rican community. The investigation focuses on the extent to which Southbridge Puerto Ricans use Spanish and English at home, and their attitudes toward Spanish language maintenance. Survey data, especially the impact of factors affecting language loyalty, are analyzed and interpreted in light of historical trends, previous research, and first-hand knowledge of the community. Statistical analyses (correlations, ANOVA, t-tests) indicate that age and percentage of life span spent on the mainland play a significant role in language maintenance. For US-born Puerto Ricans, living in a dense and relatively small Puerto Rican enclave appears to arrest but not stop language shift and heritage language loss at home, the domain in which minority language speakers can exercise the most control in terms of which language to use. Given the particular characteristics of this Puerto Rican community (e.g. continued influx of immigrants, positive attitudes toward Spanish language maintenance), it is possible for Spanish to continue to be used at home, although not as the exclusive or dominant language. Ethnic enclaves, though, do not seem to provide a safe harbor for heritage languages, as previously hypothesized in the literature.

Exploring surfers’ perceptions of municipal regulations using grounded theory

The growing popularity of surfing has created management challenges for administrators who want to ensure the enjoyment and safety of beach goers. Virginia Beach, Virginia is one place where surfing has been popular for many years. We explored local resident surfers’ opinions on municipal surfing regulations through focus groups. Using grounded theory, we developed the Surfer Perceptions and Navigation of Regulations Model based on the following themes: positive aspects of regulations, regulations leading to crowding in the surfing areas, enforcement of the surfing regulations and confusion about the regulations and surfers’ navigation of surfing regulations. While we discovered similarities with our findings and other concepts in the recreation literature (crowding, displacement and recreational conflict), we also found support for our results in the surf culture literature. The results of this study could be used to inform quantitative research on surf management practices.

Dog park users: An examination of perceived social capital and perceived neighborhood social cohesion

ABSTRACT Dog parks have the potential to be sites that engender community benefits. The purpose of this study is to examine whether dog parks, as places providing social interaction opportunities with other dog owners, can engender perceived social cohesion. Dog parks represent small-scale places where social interaction can occur to improve the personal connections and interpersonal interactions that facilitate neighborhood livability and urban quality of life. The theoretical frameworks of bridging and bonding social capital were explored, in terms of weak/bridging and strong/bonding social ties, as aspects affecting perceived neighborhood social cohesion. We hypothesized that both bridging/weak ties and bonding/strong ties were precursors to neighborhood social cohesion but explored the extent to which weak and strong social ties impact social cohesion in a simultaneous or stepwise manner. Our findings indicate support for the latter.

Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (PHORS): Reliability, Validity and Invariance.

ABSTRACT This study examined the psychometric properties of the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (PHORS). Data for PHORS were collected from three different trail sites (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and First Landing State Park) during three separate time periods, allowing for cross-validation and invariance testing. Exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and invariance testing procedures were conducted. The results indicate that PHORS, with 13 items across three underlying factors, showed high reliability and strong evidences of validity. Full configural and metric invariance indicated the factor loading pattern. The measurement properties of PHORS were generally invariant across recreation participants using different trails, situating PHORS as a potential instrument that can be used in various outdoor recreation trail settings.