Factors Affecting People-Park Relationships in Peri-Urban National Parks

Abstract

Protected areas such as national parks are key mechanisms for conserving nature. They also provide important opportunities for people to engage in a range of nature based tourism and recreation activities, engendering active lifestyles and providing access to fresh air, solitude and nature. In part due to the psychological and health benefits of these activities, visitation to protected areas is increasingly popular, especially for parks close to cities. Rapid urban growth in many cities has also heightened demand for, and increased use of, protected areas. Visitor use of protected areas can however, adversely impact both visitors and local communities if not properly managed. National park managers face the challenge of accommodating often times competing expectations about these types of protected areas, including providing access without negatively affecting the natural environment or visitors’ experiences. Reliable information is needed about visitor characteristics, the activities they undertake, and their expectations of parks including the types of activities permitted. We also need to know how the values, attitudes, and travel patterns of visitors shape their park experiences. Moreover, we need to know how nearby communities interact with the park and their attitudes about visitor activities. To better understand how these factors potentially affect people-park interactions, including parks close to cities, this thesis assessed six peri-urban national parks in South East Queensland, Australia.