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The graying of America and outdoor recreation planning: Providing accessible outdoor recreation for older persons Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Strader, Linda Marie, 1955- Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 05/10/2021 14:23:49 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278406 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. 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Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 1357278 The graying of America and outdoor recreation planning: Providing accessible outdoor recreation for older persons Strader, Linda Marie, M.S. The University of Arizona, 1994 UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Aibor, MI 48106 THE GRAYING OF AMERICA AND OUTDOOR RECREATION PLANNING: PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR OLDER PERSONS by Linda Marie Strader A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the GRADUATE INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM IN PLANNING In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 19 9 4 2 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNEDi/V: As//i S'IA/UP APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: Donovan C. Wilkin Professor of Landscape Architecture 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank Professor Donovan Wilkin for being supportive and interested in my goals throughout my academic career. I also wish to express my appreciation of Professor Kenneth Clark's continuing faith in my abilities, and Dr. Lawrence Mann's guidance. I also want to express my appreciation of the help and patience I received from Stan Helin and Mark South of the Coronado National Forest. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page STATEMENT BY AUTHOR 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 LIST OF FIGURES 7 ABSTRACT 8 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 9 2. PHYSICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OLDER PERSONS AND THE RELATIONSHIP TOWARD FULFILLING OUTDOOR RECREATION NEEDS 12 Physical Aspects 12 Physiological Aspects 15 Psychological Aspects 16 Social Aspects 19 The Graying of America 24 The Graying of Arizona 28 Implications of a Larger Proportion of Older Persons on Outdoor Recreation 29 Outdoor Recreation and the Elderly 35 5 Outdoor Recreation Preferences 36 Lack of Participation 39 The Use of Recreation Vehicles 40 Outdoor Recreation in National Forests—The Americans With Disabilities Act 1980 and The Forest Service 41 The Americans With Disabilities Act 41 Provision of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities 44 National Forests and the Role of the Forest Service in the Provision of Outdoor Recreation 45 Forest Service in Southeastern Arizona 47 3. RESEARCH GOALS, STUDY AREA, AND METHODOLOGY 48 Research Goals 48 Study Area — Green Valley, Arizona 49 Study Subject Area — Madera Canyon Recreation Area 51 Influences on Madera Canyon Development 56 Future Plans for Madera Canyon 58 Outdoor Recreation Survey 59 Methodology 59 Contents of The Survey 60 6 4. SURVEY RESULTS 63 General Demographics 63 Outdoor Recreation Questions 67 Survey Limitations 76 5. GUIDELINES FOR PREFERRED AND ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLANNING FOR PERSONS OVER 65 78 6. SUMMARY, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 84 Summary 84 Discussion 85 Future Research 86 Conclusion and Recommendations 87 Appendix A 90 References 95 7 LIST OF FIGURES PAGE FIGURE 1. Percent of Population Under 18 and Over 65: 1900, 1980, 2030 25 FIGURE 2. Projected Growth in Population by Age Group: 1980-2050 26 FIGURE 3. Projected Percent Growth in Population over 65: 1990-2050 27 FIGURE 4. Percent Distribution of Households by Income Level 32 FIGURE 5. Map of Green Valley,Arizona 54 FIGURE 6. Map of Madera Canyon Recreation Area 55 FIGURE 7. Age and Sex 64 FIGURE 8. Marital Status 65 FIGURE 9. Yearly Household Income 66 FIGURE 10. Education 67 FIGURE 11. Importance of Outdoor Recreation and Activities.68 FIGURE 11 A.Index of Net Importance 69 FIGURE 12. Physical Limitations and Outdoor Recreation Importance 69 FIGURE 13. Importance of Activities Found in Madera Canyon.71 FIGURE 13A.Index of Net Importance 71 FIGURE 14. Frequency Visited Madera Canyon in Past Year....72 FIGURE 15. Frequency Participated in Recreation as Found in Madera Canyon Over the Past Year 73 FIGURE 16. Accessible Features 74 8 ABSTRACT As baby boomers age, the population of the United States moves toward a higher proportion of elderly than ever before. These seniors retire earlier, have more discretionary income, active lifestyles and education. They also have a growing interest in fitness — challenging future outdoor recreation planning. Providers of public outdoor recreation, including the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, are under pressure to accommodate all population groups — including seniors. An emerging problem for recreation planners is how to address the special needs generated by this important demographic shift. To explore this issue, the author studied the retirement community Green Valley, Arizona's influence on the Forest Service's Madera Canyon Recreation Area. The study identified Madera Canyon as a model for successful recreation planning by enlisting volunteers, encouraging user participation, providing trails with different experiences, benches, wildlife viewing, and educational opportunities in natural areas, to meet senior's needs. The author provides planning guidelines. 9 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION The projected increase in the aged population has long been a concern of leaders throughout the country. The impacts of demographic change are especially pronounced in sunbelt states such as Arizona and Florida (AARP, 1991). Larger numbers of people over 65, with their social, political, and economic powers, have an increasingly important influence on state and national legislation and policies (McCormick, 1991). Not only will this larger proportion of elderly influence changes in health care, government programs and policies, but they will also affect the field of recreation planning. The elderly as a user group share many of the same needs for accessible outdoor recreation as those with mobility and functional impairments. Moreover, they are often limited in physiological and physical capacities. However, these constraints often do not deter them from enjoying the benefits of physical activities such as walking and enjoying natural settings (Mobily, et. al., 1993) (Gobster, 1990) (McAvoy, 1979). Additionally, as the health, exercise and nature conscious younger generation reaches maturity, they will bring their new interests and their value of outdoor recreation with them (Pastalan, 1970). 10 The U.S.D.A. Forest Service is a major provider of outdoor recreation activities. For their recreation planners, already trying to deal with overuse and shortages of existing recreational facilities, these changes in demographics force them to consider not only the change in the ages of users, but the types of outdoor recreation opportunities offered in the future. This is a challenge that all recreation providers will eventually face. The Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona faces a particularly significant challenge. The mild climate and the great variety of outdoor recreation activities contribute