Pacific Southwest Research Station

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Research Paper

Title: Cultural Diversity of Los Angeles County Residents Using Undeveloped Natural Areas

Author: Tierney, Patrick T.; Dahl, Rene F.; Chavez Deborah J.

Date: 1998

Source: Res. Paper PSW-RP-236. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 76 p

Station ID: RP-PSW-236

Description: A model of ethnic participation at undeveloped natural areas was developed and tested. The proposed model included the constructs of socio-economic status, perceived discrimination, assimilation, and ethnicity. Undeveloped natural areas were defined as being located outside of cities and primarily natural in composition. A telephone survey of a stratified random sample of Los Angeles County residents resulted in 894 interviews. The results demonstrate the multi-dimensional and complex nature of outdoor recreation participation. Despite close proximity and low entrance fees compared to commercial recreation facilities, the majority of residents did not spend even a half day at a National Forest or Park, or other undeveloped natural areas. These data suggest that public wildland agencies must be proactive by creating new programs and expanding existing intervention projects, or they risk not being able to show that publicly funded natural resources are used by most Americans.

Key Words: barrier, ethnicity, motivation, parks, recreation, tourism

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Citation

Tierney, Patrick T.; Dahl, Rene F.; Chavez Deborah J.  1998.  Cultural Diversity of Los Angeles County Residents Using Undeveloped Natural Areas  Res. Paper PSW-RP-236. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 76 p.