Browsing by Subject "recreation"
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Item Aesthetic responses to urban greenway trail corridors: Implications for sustainable development in tourism and recreation settings(Texas A&M University, 2005-08-29) Chon, Jin HyungUrban greenway trails are emerging as potential tourist attractions in cities and are well recognized for their recreation opportunities in general. The study presented an opportunity to expand the scope of aesthetic response research into the realm of urban greenway trails. The concept of likability (Nasar, 1998) was used as a guiding concept in the study. In order to gather data for the study, a web-based virtual tour was developed and implemented. Treatments were assigned to 6 groups that viewed two urban greenway trail corridors. Each trail had three treatments including the existing trail condition, a manipulated trail condition, and a reverse in direction of the existing trail condition. Analyses were conducted to 1) identify dimensions of aesthetic responses, 2) examine relationships between cognitive evaluation, affective response, trail characteristics, and likability, and 3) evaluate specific greenway trail characteristics and their relationships to the trail experience. Results indicated five aesthetic dimensions of the greenway trail corridors. The cognitive dimensions were maintenance, distinctiveness, and naturalness and the affective dimensions were pleasantness and arousal. Pleasantness and distinctiveness were the strongest predictors of likability in urban greenway trails. In terms of greenway trail characteristics, six of eight specific characteristics had predictive value in relation to how inviting the virtual trail was to the viewer. Finally, several greenway trail characteristics had significant influences on human perception and the likability of trail environments. This study proposed a new way of conceptualizing likability and a model of relationships leading to likability. One of the major implications of this study is to identify a way to improve physical conditions of greenway corridors in urban areas based on aesthetic responses. The study also implied that greenways can encompass natural or man-made features and can be managed and developed as a tourist attraction while providing local opportunities in cities. Aesthetic quality influences perceived quality of life and sense of well-being. Findings of the study can help enhance the aesthetic quality of the greenway trails that can contribute to sustainable development in various tourism and recreation settings.Item Development of an instrument to assess residents? perceptions of equity(Texas A&M University, 2005-02-17) West, Stephanie TheresaThis study examined equity in the context of the allocation of park and recreation resources within a community. The contributions made by this study include: extending the original taxonomy of equity models proposed by Crompton and Wicks (1988); development of a theoretical framework for their original model; providing a current synthesis of equity based literature; advancing the Equity Implementation Model (Wicks & Crompton, 1989) by developing an instrument capable of measuring residents? perceptions and preferences of park and recreation resource allocation in their community; empirically confirming the legitimacy of alternate dimensions of equity through Structural Equation Modeling; applying information gained from using the instrument to determine the usefulness of selected variables in predicting equity preferences; and comparing data on equity preferences with those of prevailing perceptions to illustrate the utility of the instrument in guiding resource allocation decisions. Five of the original operationalizations of equity were validated (Compensatory, Taxes Paid, Direct Price, Efficiency and Advocacy). An additional operationalization, Professional Judgment, was included and also validated, while one of the original dimensions suggested by Crompton and Wicks, Equal Outcomes, could not be distinctively conceptually differentiated and so was discarded. The operationalizations of Equal Inputs and Equal Opportunity could not be differentiated to reflect distinctively different equity concepts. However, further efforts should be invested in operationalizing these two equity concepts, since they do appear to be conceptually different. Using confirmatory factor analysis, a model consisting of all seven operationalizations (Compensatory, Taxes Paid, Direct Price, Efficiency, Advocacy, Professional Judgment and Equality) was an acceptable fit and all paths were significant at the .05 level, suggesting that the proposed 23-item, seven-dimension scale, P&R-EQUITY, effectively measures seven facets of residents? perceptions of equity in the allocation of park and recreation resources. Two additional operationalizations (Demonstrated Use and Coproduction Opportunities) emerged during the research which suggested that Demonstrated Interest was inadequately operationalized, so future efforts could be focused on operationalizing those three. The scale developed in this study is intended to help officials make appropriate decisions when allocating park and recreation resources.Item Effectiveness of internet information for park, recreation and tourism practitioners(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Patterson, Joni DeniseThis research is a four-step process. 1) Development of the Park, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) Planning Web site to meet the needs of rural communities, indicated through the Texas Community Futures Forum needs assessment process. 2) Evaluation of the PRT Planning Web site by experts in the field of PRT Sciences. 3) Inspect differences in the information needs and use between rural and urban PRT practitioners. 4) Examine factors contributing to the flow experience while utilizing the PRT Planning Web site. Evaluation information provided insight about strengths, weakness and modifications to be made to the PRT Planning site. Programming was reported as the service provided most by survey participants. Internet information is considered the most effective information resource, with suppliers/manufacturers and libraries being the least effective. When acquiring information on developing and providing PRT services, not knowing where to find information was the problem experienced most, while not understanding the information was the problem encountered the least. Marketing information was deemed the most useful type of information, and increasing community well being is the most important service benefit provided by respondents. No significant differences were reported between groups' perception of Internet information as the most effective information resource, intent to return to the PRT Planning Web site, or education levels. Significant differences were reported between groups' Internet connection speed, use of a dial-up modem, computer experience and Internet experience. Study findings also reported less computer and Internet experience for rural and small communities when compared to large and urban communities. In Skadberg's (2002) proposed model of flow in human-computer interaction, the factors that contribute to the flow experience are, experience, ease of use, response speed, interactivity, vividness, telepresence, knowledge of the information being presented, and challenge of the information being presented. Of these factors, experience was the only variable that did not show a significant or positive relationship with factors in the flow model. Increased learning and change in attitude and behavior are considered outcomes of achieving the flow state; both reflected a positive and significant relationship with the variable flow.Item In Search of Pleasure: An Exploration of Teenage Recreational Sex(2012-02-14) Reichstein, LaurenThis thesis utilizes a qualitative method to investigate recreational sex among teenagers as recounted by current college-aged students. As defined for the purposes of this thesis, recreational sex is any consensual sexual activity undertaken for the purpose of pleasure and can encompass a variety of sexual activities. Questions were focused on attitudes and feelings about experiences and were formulated based on reminiscence methods. Studies that discuss teen sexuality in terms of pleasure are important for acknowledging sexual agency and self-efficacy among teens and for addressing the inherent risk involved in sexual activity. The first part of this thesis focuses on recreational sex in a more traditional recreational context. In other words, how do teens discuss and view recreation and recreational sex? Findings suggest that it is often hard to define sexual activity in terms usually associated with other recreational activities but that there are parallels upon further discussion. In addition, partners, past experience, and use of contraception play a role in shaping current experiences. The second part of this thesis examines the gendered contexts of teenage sexual pleasure. Findings show that the pursuance of pleasure is problematic for females in the same way that other sexual activities are. Participants suggest that sexual pleasure is assumed for males but criticized for females and that females often must negotiate the social landscape carefully to project a particular desirable image. In addition, many female participants described being the victims of sexual assault as part of their sexual experiences. Taken together, these pieces provide a contextual picture of teenage recreational sex. Rather than investigate more traditional aspects of teen sexual behavior (i.e. contraception, alcohol and drug use), this thesis approaches sexual activity in terms of pleasure. This gives credence to the idea that teens not only experience sexual pleasure but also that they actively seek it.Item Increasing Hispanic Participation in a Public Recreation Center(2012-10-19) Fernandez, MarielaThis study analyzed the reasons why a limited number of Hispanic parents take their children to a local public recreation center. The center historically serves the African American population of the community, with many African Americans living in the area surrounding the center. However, in the last decade, Hispanic families of Mexican decent have moved into this particular neighborhood, yet only a limited number of Hispanic children are currently enrolled at the center. The current study sought to 1) understand the historical context of the recreation center in relation to the African American population; 2) understand the attitudes held by Hispanic parents toward the use of the center; and 3) make recommendation to the center management of possible ways to increase Hispanic participation. The research was conducted over a three-month period in the community surrounding the recreation center. Information was collected through the use of participant observation, autoethnography, historical and archival documents, and interviews. Findings suggest that the history of the recreation center is responsible for the large number of African American users at the facility. The facility had its origins as a segregated African American high school, and even today it serves an important community function in the African American neighborhood. Additionally, Hispanic parents identified a number of barriers to participation including language, lack of awareness, cultural differences, cost of participation, bullying, and negative perceptions of the center and neighborhood. Community members also discussed the lack of enforcement of outreach material available to recruit Hispanics. In order to increase Hispanic enrollment, the recreation center should take action in several areas. First, the center must extend ownership by implementing programs applicable to other ethnic groups. The center may also want to consider displaying photos or posters of Hispanic role models in order to build Hispanic pride; such methods are already in place for the African American users. Moreover, the implementations of trainings targeting bullying may prove to be useful in limiting bullying of Hispanic participants. Finally, implementation of the ideas contained in the outreach material provided by the Boys and Girls Club may lead to increases in Hispanic enrollment.Item The relationship of time perspective to time allocation, recreation experience preferences, and wellness(Texas A&M University, 2006-10-30) Shores, Kindal AlayneTime perspective, as measured with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), has been empirically linked to many behaviors including health behaviors, time spent with family and friends, and career decisions. This dissertation research builds on investigations of time perspective by testing hypotheses about the relationship between each of Zimbardo??????s five time perspectives with residual time allocation, recreation experience preferences, and health and life satisfaction. Using a short questionnaire and time diary data, the relationship between how individuals frame time in the present, past, or future and how they allocate their discretionary time is described. Findings provide the foundation for continued study of the relationship of time perspective and recreation. Next, the relationship between an individual??????s time perspective and the benefits they seek from recreation are identified. Using results from a selfadministered mail questionnaire, hypotheses about the benefits sought by adults with different time perspectives are tested. Finally, results from the mail questionnaire are again used to test hypotheses about the relationship between time perspective, physical health, psychological health and life satisfaction. Findings provide information about the impact of different time perspectives on individual wellness and happiness. Moreover, results provide a tool for targeting adults in need of leisure education. In summary, this study provides a starting point for the use of time perspective in leisure research. Much replication, extension and application research will be required to extend findings from current results using student and general population samples. The dissertation is organized in four sections. An introductory section presents the theoretical orientation for research. The second, third, and fourth sections explicate the relationship of Zimbardo??????s five time perspectives with residual time allocation, benefits sought from recreation, and health and life satisfaction.Item the.REC: a recreational subway(2013-05) Seanard, Melissa B.; Hoidn, Barbara, 1959-Bastrop County will soon be under even more developmental pressure with the rapid urbanization of the surrounding region. Bastrop County predominately consists of three towns: Elgin, Smithville and the County Seat, Bastrop. The current county population is 75,115 with projected growth to be 115,637 (Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts) by 2020. Within Bastrop County and surrounding the city of Bastrop is the “Lost Pines”, a unique pine oak forest covering approximately 44,800 acres. Following a series of devastating wild fires over the 2011 Labor Day weekend, 34,068 acres were burned, including much of the Lost Pines Forest. Following the fires, many of the pines were destroyed but efforts are continually made for replanting them. The Colorado River runs through the town as well as throughout the County of Bastrop. The Bastrop County ecology is a mix of rich pines, prairies and river valleys. Bastrop is a Main Street City and was named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is also one of 14 cities in Texas to achieve the Scenic City certification and are known for being "Texas’s Most Historic Small Town". The city contains over 100 historic homes, many of which are listed on the National Register of History Places. This study is a creation of a recreational subway system throughout the county. Its purpose is to act as a catalyst for bridging the county community together during the county’s anticipated future growth.