Running uphill: urbanization, conflict, and visitor use at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Abstract

At the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield, operated by the National Park Service (NPS) near Atlanta, differing uses--including walking for fitness, horseback riding, and organized crosscountry running team practices on the trails--conflict with the NPS mission to protect the historic resources of the site and lead to conflicts among visitors. NPS managers at Kennesaw Mountain instituted a temporary permit program for organized running teams during October 2006. They also monitored visitor acceptance of the permit program and completed an assessment of visitors' perceptions of crowding. This paper discusses the impacts of urban sprawl, visitor management in terms of crowding, and user conflicts on National Park sites. Particular focus will be given to research methods used to address these issues and to the challenge of resolving user conflicts while protecting historic and natural resources.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2007 northeastern recreation research symposium

Citation

Strack, Julie A.; Miller, Craig A. 2008. Running uphill: urbanization, conflict, and visitor use at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. In: LeBlanc, Cherie; Vogt, Christine, comps. Proceedings of the 2007 northeastern recreation research symposium; 2007 April 15-17; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-23. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 48-53.