Research Library

Library of Trails Benefits

This Trails Benefits Library is a collection of studies on the positive impacts of trails on businesses, public health, and quality of life. Use this form to search by type of benefit, use, year, and region.

Benefit
Use
Region
Year
Studies date back to 1987

Filtered Results (5)

Reset filters
Novel visitor use estimates

Expanding the toolbox: Assessing methods for local outdoor recreation planning

Other · · 2021

This study analyzes how different data collection methods can support local recreation planning. Data is compared on current land use (land already used by outdoor recreationists) and the potential use (land that is not used by outdoor recreationists) through participatory mapping, free listing, photo ranking, and analysis of social media data. Local planners were interviewed […]

Novel visitor use estimatesUser attitudes

Measuring Americans’ Comfort With Research Uses of Their Social Media Data

Other · · 2021

This study evaluates American perspectives on how social media data is used by researchers. A scenario-based survey with American Facebook users demonstrated that factors such as the type of researcher, content, purpose of data use, and awareness of data collection influence their level of comfort or concern regarding data use. This study provides recommendations for […]

Access

Recreation Equity: Is the Forest Service Serving Its Diverse Publics?

Other, Parks & Public Land · · 2018

Across the U.S., racial and ethnic minorities visit national forests much less than white counterparts from neighboring counties. This disparity is the most pronounced in areas with the highest share of minorities living nearby, suggesting a significant need for creative outreach efforts.

Novel visitor use estimatesUser attitudes

Continental-scale quantification of landscape values using social media data

Hiking, Other, Parks & Public Land · · 2016

This study compares three social media platforms (Panoramio, Flickr, and Instagram) and their applicability for mapping and quantifying landscape values at a continental scale through multiple models. The authors assume that landscape values increase as posts about the areas increase, interpreting spatial concentrations of posts as indicators of higher landscape values derived from aesthetic enjoyment […]

Access

Outdoor Recreation Constraints: An Examination of Race, Gender, and Rural Dwelling

Other, Parks & Public Land · · 2001

In this study from 2001, the authors use the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment to better understand the constraints faced by black people, women, and rural residents in the U.S. when they attempt to participate in their favorite outdoor recreation activities. They found that women are most likely to feel constrained by personal […]