An evaluation of park usage and its effect upon planning and management: the Templer Park visitor survey

Abstract

Effective systematic planning and programme implementation is the best course of action a management unit can adopt when trying to satisfy the demand for outdoor recreation opportunities with limited financial and technical resources. To facilitate such planning and management for existing potential recreation areas it is essential to have a clear understanding of user characteristics and recreation use patterns. A visitor survey was undertaken over four Sundays in 1978 at Templer Park with a sampling of some 2000 visitors and yielding an overall questionnaire return rate of 81%. Information sought included the socio-economic characteristics of users, frequency of visits, mode of transportation used, recreation preferences and activities participated, park facilities and conditions and the importance of parks in general. The application of the survey results to park planning and management is discussed.