Recreational activities in urban parks: Spatial interactions among users

Abstract

The goal of the present paper is to analyze spatial overlap and social conflicts between mountain bikers and runners in an Urban Green Park. The methodology uses publicly available volunteer geographic information, compiled in a spatial database with places (tracks) where these activities occur, in order to measure the use intensity. Results show: (1) the rate of biker and runner compliance with the park's trails, and (2) places where potential conflicts among users are likely to happen. Profiling user's preferences can help managers and decision makers to design proper infrastructure for outdoor activities. Strategic management errors can be avoided by knowing user preferences in urban parks, and by offering improved conditions which meet the expectations and needs of different user groups. Management implications This paper presents an efficient method to detect spatial overlaps between different recreational activities which is useful when financial and personnel resources for monitoring visitors in recreational urban green areas are scarce. The dataset comprises Volunteer Geographic Information, publicly available through web sharing services. It constitutes an alternative or a complementary data base compared to direct survey methods. The study revealed the suitability of this methodological approach for the two most popular outdoor recreation activities within urban parks – mountain biking and running.