The importance of visitors' knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks in influencing sense of place in the high peaks region

Abstract

This study examined various dimensions of the sense of place experience felt by visitors to the High Peaks of the Adirondack Park. More specifically, a 6-page questionnaire (mail-back postage-paid) was distributed to 803 people over a three-month period (June, July & August, 1999). The two primary objectives of this study were to: 1) explore the various characteristics that influence visitors' sense of place within the High Peaks (including the emotive ties and symbolic associations visitors' assign to their special place), and 2) explore a possible relationship between visitors' knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks and a broader personal preservation/environmental ethic. Final results indicated that many visitors who experience a sense of place in the High Peaks feel so because it is a place of 'exceptional beauty' and many feel a sense of place based on their knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks'. Further analysis revealed that the level of importance visitors' felt toward their 'knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks' had some influential effect on their personal preservation/environmental ethic. Not surprisingly, there was a strong correlation between those visitors who felt a sense of place- verses-those who did not experience a sense of place, and the likelihood of them possessing a preservation/environmental ethic. Results indicate there is room for additional educational and interpretive programming in the area, focusing specifically on educating visitors about the cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks, besides basic visitor education about the conditions (and means by which) wilderness is realized.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Fredrickson, Laura. 2002. The importance of visitors' knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks in influencing sense of place in the high peaks region. In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 346-355.