This study examines the spatial distribution of’ outdoor recreation sites and their proximity to census block groups (CBGs), in order to determine potential socio-economic inequities. It is framed within the context of environmental justice. Information from the Southern Appalachian Assessment database was applied to a case study of the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. Outdoor re...

Collegiate campus recreation departments are held to increasingly higher levels of accountability, particularly as to whether recreational programs and activities have impact on student learning. This pioneering study found that students who participated in selected fitness and wellness programs offered by a certain four-year, public institution of higher education in the Mid-west scored signif...

Nature-based recreation planners and managers have a difficult time describing what they provide to society. In order to better identify, plan, and manage for the benefits of nature-based recreation, researchers and natural resource professionals have adopted a new approach to recreation management: benefits-based management (BBM). BBM seeks to identify the positive outputs of recreation and hi...

Although the fields of leisure studies and recreation and parks were founded on addressing health and wellness needs of people, only recently have these needs been addressed by major, systematic research efforts. This paper examines the origins of leisure studies and the study of recreation behavior and park use and their potential contribution to active living research. Over the past 2 decades...

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from participation in sports and recreation activities have received increased public awareness, with many states and the federal government considering or implementing laws directing the response to suspected brain injury. Whereas public health programs promote the many benefits of sports and recreation activities, those benefits are tempered by the risk for inj...

It is generally accepted that recreation use in natural environments results in some degree of negative social and environmental impact. Environmental managers are tasked with mitigating the impact while providing beneficial recreation opportunities. Research on the factors that influence visitors' perceptions of environmental and social conditions is necessary to inform sound environmental man...