Erik A. Backlund

Experience use history, place bonding and resource substitution of trout anglers during recreation engagements.

Experience use history (EUH) was hypothesized to be linked to recreational place bonding and resource substitution behavior. Trout anglers (n = 203) of two Trout Unlimited chapters were surveyed (response rate = 71%) for EUH, place bonding, and resource substitution. Four classifications (Beginners, Visitors, Locals, and Veterans) of EUH were formed, a 26-item scale was rated to form five dimensions of place bonding (Familiarity, Belongingness, Identity, Dependence, and Rootedness), and number of alternative equivalent streams recorded as resource substitutes. The EUH classifications were shown to be linked to different types and degree of place bonding, and to a lesser degree, with substitution behavior among trout anglers. Veterans and Locals had higher degrees of place bonding, while Veterans and Visitors had the highest degree of substitution behavior.

Place bonding for recreation places: conceptual and empirical development.

Abstract Place bonding is a common phenomenon in many recreation areas, where people develop an affective and cognitive based attachment to special resource settings. Conceptually, place bonding is fairly well understood; empirically it is less so. In this study, a five dimensional orientation to place bonding of trout anglers for a wild and scenic stream was conceptually and empirically developed. The dimensions of place familiarity, belongingness, identity, dependence, and rootedness were examined by having respondents (n = 203) rate a 26‐item scale of recreation place bonding. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses produced a five‐dimension solution to place bonding. The five‐dimensional model was examined for convergent validity and predictive validity, with the latter predicting 75% of variance in an overall measure of place bonding. Research and management implications are discussed for recreation resource place bonding.

Beyond Progression in Specialization Research: Leisure Capital and Participation Change

Recent specialization research shows that progression along a unidirectional continuum from novice to expert is more the exception than the rule. We argue that a capital metaphor of changing leisure investments provides a better way to explain multidirectional participation. We propose four mechanisms of leisure capital investments. First, contemporary diversification of leisure opportunities may encourage people to use their leisure capital in more, rather than fewer activities. Second, limitations in ones abilities, desire, or situation may produce casual or declining activity participation. Third, people may develop casual leisure routines that provide organization, routine, and predictability in everyday life. Finally, life-course change leads to activity attrition as leisure capital is devoted to new age and life-stage appropriate activities. These mechanisms enhance the ability of the specialization framework to overcome the unidirectional nature of progression, and allow a more dynamic conceptual framework of participation over time.

Effects of Setting-Based Management on Visitor Experience Outcomes: Differences across a Management Continuum

Abstract Opinions diverge as to whether visitor experiences vary across setting-based management continua. Evidence suggests that recreationists with different experiences profiles have distinct setting preferences but is mixed regarding supporting a link between settings and experiences. This paper explores the relationship between settings and experiences at Grand Canyon National Park. Our analyses examine variation in experiences across three management zones in two ways: (1) by experience intensity by setting, and (2) size of experience clusters by setting. Results indicated minor differences in experience intensity consistent with the management zone continuum, but large difference in the relative experience clusters size. These results imply that setting management systems may function to change the rate at which experiences are produced rather than the intensity.

Experience Use History and Relationship to the Importance of Substitute Stream Attributes

Members of two Trout Unlimited Chapters associated with the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River (South Carolina, Georgia) completed mail surveys (n = 292, 71% response rate) of experience use history with local substitute streams, number of substitute streams for the Chattooga, and importance ratings for stream and fishing attributes. About 65% of anglers had three or fewer substitute streams; nearly 15% had seven or more that were equivalent in fishing to the Chattooga. Anglers were experienced with alternative streams, averaging 17 years of use and 21 fishing trips in the last 12 months. Anglers with the most experience (long term, frequent users) at fishing substitute streams rated the stream/fishing attributes the highest; short term, frequent anglers rated the attributes second highest in importance. Experience use history, however, had limited statistical effects on substitution attribute perceptions. Possible explanations for these results are discussed, particularly the lack of specificity of alternative stream attributes.

Monitoring visitor flows in destinations: The case of multiple-use hiking trails in grand canyon national park

Monitoring trail traffic in popular destinations plays essential roles in governing management actions and assessing effectiveness of operations. In varying degrees, the amount of visitor use is often a key factor linked to extent and type of impacts, maintenance schedules, budget and resource allocations, and when compiled across a period of time, is used to inform planning scenarios and forecast future demand. This study uses direct observation of visitor volume to calibrate counts from infrared technology on multiple-use trails at Grand Canyon National Park during May to October 2004. A calibration procedure was developed to better reflect variability in the proportion of exiting day hikers across time of the day and the trail of use within Grand Canyon National Park. The calibrated exit proportion models had good fits with low mean absolute deviations where the larger the traffic volume the better fit. This finding was replicated across the trails of study, albeit using an explicit calibration model developed for each trail.