User characteristics and response to William A. Switzer Provincial Park visitor centre

• Author / Creator

  Gross, Heather

• Interest in park services and understanding leisure decision making has become increasingly important in the last fifty years. Canadians in particular have an affinity for spending time in natural areas and often in parks. Parks and protected areas provide a reasonable and approachable place for people to relax, learn and socialize. This research project consists of interviews and surveys of policy makers and park users at William A. Switzer Provincial Park in Alberta, following the renovation of its visitor centre. The research asks questions related to the visitor centre’s goals, who visited, and what the renovation might reveal about changing leisure choices. People visited the centre particularly if they were new to the area and visitor centre clientele responded positively. This research shows how parks respond to the leisure public by providing access to educational and social opportunities at a park.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Park education
  • Visitor centre

• Graduation date

  Spring 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R31D3F

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.