Exploring Backcountry Wilderness Design Through the User Experience in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
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Exploring Backcountry Wilderness Design through the User Experience in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park by Chad David Neufeld A Thesis presented to The University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Landscape Architecture Guelph, Ontario, Canada © Chad David Neufeld, March, 2014 ABSTRACT EXPLORING BACKCOUNTRY WILDERNESS DESIGN THROUGH THE USER EXPERIENCE IN CHILLIWACK LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK Chad David Neufeld Advisor: University of Guelph, 2014 Sean D. Kelly This research explored the human relationship with wilderness through the recreational activities of hiking and backcountry camping in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park located in southwestern British Columbia. A case study and questionnaire completed by 119 visitors was used to determine the ideal backcountry wilderness experience as identified by using the Recreation Experience Preference (REP) scales. Results indicated that the highest priority wilderness design features included viewing scenery, having a sense of remoteness, and reduction of litter and waste. Conclusions suggest that the user experience can be improved by designing for scenic views, protecting the remote feel of an environment, and ensuring an adequate mix of trail and backcountry facilities while reducing litter and waste. Findings are specific to Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park but may aid landscape architects in the design of similar wilderness parks through the further understanding of the user experience in wilderness areas. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my advisor, Sean Kelly for his direction and guidance in managing the thesis process. I was always thankful for the quick hallway chats and discussions we had. I would also like to thank Rob Corry who acted as my advisory committee member, who asked the right questions of me and who taught me the importance of remembering my research question. A special thanks to Bob Brown for acting as chair of my defence and offering his input in this thesis as well. Thank you to Mark Harrison whose 2012 thesis offered a working framework to emulate for this project. I would also like to thank Jennie Aikman, Robert Wilson and Joanna Hirner of BC Parks who graciously supported this research in addition to providing time to answer my many questions. A big thank you to the Valley Outdoor Association especially Mike Stewart who helped distribute the questionnaire in addition to Sam Waddington of the Chilliwack Outdoor Club for distributing the questionnaire to their members. Thank you to Darren Susin, administrator for ClubTread, for allowing my questionnaire to be posted on ClubTread. A very grateful thanks to all the backcountry hikers who took the time to complete the questionnaire; your opinions make this thesis what it is. On a personal note I would like to thank my wife, Christina for her constant support, for moving across the country and working to support us as I pursued my dream of becoming a landscape architect. Thank you for reading my drafts, for always being interested and encouraging me when I lost interest. Without you I wouldn’t have been able to do this. Lastly I would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation (LACF) whose grant supported this research in addition to the financial support of the University of Guelph. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. viii Chapter One: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 Justification of Research ............................................................................................................. 1 Research Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 2 Research Design .......................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter Two: Literature Review ................................................................................................ 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4 Wilderness Parks ......................................................................................................................... 4 What is Wilderness ................................................................................................................. 4 Romanticism of the Wild ........................................................................................................ 6 History of Wilderness Preservation ........................................................................................ 7 Backcountry Hiking .................................................................................................................... 9 History of Hiking .................................................................................................................... 9 Hiking: the Bridge between Nature and Culture................................................................... 10 Modern Recreational Hiking................................................................................................. 11 Backcountry User Experience ................................................................................................... 12 Recreation Experience Preferences Scales ........................................................................... 12 Backcountry Fear, Challenges and Flow .............................................................................. 14 Management of the User Experience .................................................................................... 16 Visitor Management Frameworks......................................................................................... 17 Wilderness Park Design ............................................................................................................ 19 Designing Wilderness ........................................................................................................... 19 Current Management of Wilderness Parks ........................................................................... 20 Carrying Capacity in Wilderness Parks ................................................................................ 21 Wilderness Design in British Columbia ............................................................................... 23 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 25 iv Chapter Three: Methodology .................................................................................................... 26 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 26 Case Study Approach ................................................................................................................ 27 Site Selection ........................................................................................................................ 29 Selection of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park ...................................................................... 29 Site Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 34 User Questionnaire .................................................................................................................... 35 Reasons for Access ............................................................................................................... 37 Backcountry Experience Scale ............................................................................................. 37 Improvements and Wilderness .............................................................................................. 38 Demographics ....................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter Four: Case Study Results ............................................................................................ 40 Context ...................................................................................................................................... 40 Background ........................................................................................................................... 40 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................ 44 Current Design ...................................................................................................................... 45 Maintenance .......................................................................................................................... 46 General Conditions ..............................................................................................................