Regional Demand And Supply Projections For Outdoor Recreation

A supporting technical document for the 1993 Update of the 1989 RPA Assessment

National analyses for recreation demand and supply can mask regional variations in demands and supplies. This report provides regionally disaggregated descriptions and projections of possible future recreation consumption and supply of recreation opportunities. The general availability of recreation opportunities is determined by both population growth and expected changes in recreation resources. Nationally, opportunities for most undeveloped environments are expected to decline. Developed opportunities are expected to increase, because of both additional parkland acquisition by local governments and increased opportunities provided by the private sector. Each region has a unique combination of resources, travel behavior, population characteristics and projected changes.

Highlights include the following:

The western regions generally have greater amounts of resources, longer travel distances to recreation resources, and higher projected population growth rates.
Although population is expected to grow more rapidly in the West, longer travel distances spread the recreation demand over a broader area.
The eastern regions have shorter travel distances, fewer recreation resources, and higher population density, which puts more pressure on recreation resources close to population centers than in the West.
Recreation resources near population centers are most important in providing recreation opportunities in all regions, and are also the areas most prone to land use conversions for other uses.

English, Donald B.K.; Betz, Carter J.; Young, J. Mark; Bergstrom, John C.; Cordell, H. Ken. 1993. Regional demand and supply projections for outdoor recreation. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM230. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 39 p.

Copies may be ordered from Richard Schneider. His telephone number 3034981719; FAX number3034981660; DG addressR.Schneider:S28a, or mailing address3825 E. Mulberry St., Fort Collins, CO, 80524

Title: Regional Demand And Supply Projections For Outdoor Recreation

Organization:USDA Forest Service,

Contact-addr:fswa/s=R.Schneider/ou1=S28a@mhs.attmail.com

Contact-phone:303.498.1719

Document-date:4/10/95

Expiry:4/10/98

Abstract: Regional Demand And Supply Projections For Outdoor Recreation.....A supporting technical document for the 1993 Update of the 1989 RPA Assessment