Outdoor recreation and nontraditional users: results of focus group interviews with racial and ethnic minorities

Abstract

Resource managers in Oregon State Parks and the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (U.S. Forest Service) identified a need to better understand the needs of existing and potential stakeholders who may visit public recreation lands in Oregon. Specifically, this research was designed to understand the perceptions of racial and ethnic minorities in Oregon. A series of focus groups were completed in the state of Oregon to understand ethnic minorities’ interests and needs related to outdoor recreation, and how agencies such as Oregon State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and local park and recreation authorities can better respond to these nontraditional users. This report documents visitor usage perceptions for different outdoor recreation activities in a variety of outdoor recreation settings within the state of Oregon. The focus group interviews were designed to ascertain residents’ perceptions about what recreation activities, services, facilities, and experiences are appropriate on various public lands in Oregon.

Parent Publication

• Recreation visitor research: studies of diversity

Citation

Burns, Robert C.; Covelli, Elizabeth; Graefe, Alan. 2008. Outdoor recreation and nontraditional users: results of focus group interviews with racial and ethnic minorities. In: Chavez, Deborah J.; Winter, Patricia L.; Absher, James D., eds. Recreation visitor research: studies of diversity. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-210. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 123-137. Chapter 11.