A Study of Use Patterns, User Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay for Off-leash Dog Parks
A Study of Use Patterns, User Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay for Off-leash Dog Parks

Author: Hyung-Sook Lee

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The growing importance of dogs in people's lives and in high-density urban environments has increased demand for a place where people and their dogs can interact and exercise together. The recent increase in the number of dog parks across the country is evidence of these demands of dog owners and their companions. However, due to the absence of empirical study on dog parks and their attribute of non-market values, the benefits of dog parks are often underestimated and considered less in the decision making process regarding resource allocation. A post-occupancy evaluation at four dog parks was conducted to investigate use patterns of dog parks and user activities, to identify user preferences and the environmental factors influencing activities, to provide insights and guidelines in developing effective dog parks, and to estimate users' willingness to pay for dog parks using contingent valuation method. A multiple-method approach was used to collect data including site observations and analysis, a questionnaire and behavioral mapping. The results indicated that dog parks received considerable use, served a variety of demographic groups and supported their exercise and social activities. Dog-park users were generally satisfied with dog parks but they expressed various preferences and needs. It is evident that dog parks are not only a place for dogs to exercise but a place for people to exercise, socialize, relax and enjoy greenery just like other parks. Proximity of dog parks was found to be a critical factor in encouraging frequent dog park use and satisfying users' needs. Over eighty percent of survey respondents expressed that they were willing to pay an annual fee for dog parks, indicating the importance of visiting dog parks as outdoor recreation. Conservative estimate of average willingness to pay was $56.17/ household/ year. Satisfaction with maintenance and facilities, income, education and family size were found to be significantly associated with willingness to pay. These results could assist local governments and park planners in estimating aggregate monetary value of the dog parks and cost-benefit analysis to justify the development and maintenance of dog parks. Design guidelines and recommendations were generated based on the empirical findings for future design of dog parks.

Dog Park Design, Development, and Operation
Dog Park Design, Development, and Operation

Author: Marilynn R. Glasser

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13: 0736091556

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This professional guide presents best practices for park and recreation professionals and others interested in creating a community dog park. From concept to completion, you'll get step-by-step instructions on creating a great off-leash facility. It also discusses related topics such as location considerations, community benefits, design options, maintenance concerns, amenities, suggested rules, and program opportunities.

Off-leash Dog Parks
Off-leash Dog Parks

Author: Natasha Letchford

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This project examines dog owners' and non dog owners' use of an off-leash urban dog park to learn how such public space is used and by whom. As cities densify, the challenges of defining public and private space and of ensuring space for all users will intensify. Given these limitations, why should public land be devoted to dogs and their owners? This ethnographically based project contributes to answering that question by observing and analyzing the role off-leash dog parks play in facilitating social interactions between dogs, dog owners, and others. While the role of urban parks in facilitating such interactions has been widely researched and positively reported upon, the social role and usage of off-leash dog parks has been less studied. Off-leash dog parks, as a particular type of setting, provide a distinctive venue in which dog owners, dogs, and other visitors may shape varied yet satisfying interactions.

Responsible Pet Ownership
Responsible Pet Ownership

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 117

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Dog parks are the fastest growing type of park in U.S. cities; however, their increasing popularity has been met with increasing criticism of pets in public space. Dogs have shown to be a deep source of neighborhood conflict, and the provision of dog parks, or off-leash areas, is a seemingly intractable controversy for city officials. In 2003, Portland, Oregon established a network of 33 off-leash areas which remains the second largest both in count and per capita in the country. The purpose of my research is to understand the public debate over off leash dogs during the establishment of Portland's off-leash area network, and how dog parks relate to processes of demographic change. The analysis involved two phases. First, I conducted a thematic analysis of editorial perspectives published in the major local newspaper. Second, I conducted an exploratory spatial analysis of the distribution of Portland's off-leash areas and patterns of racial and economic change throughout the city from 2000 to 2015. Central to the debate are conflicting notions of responsible pet ownership. The notions of responsibility employed in the debate are primarily personal, yet the findings from my exploratory analysis of the relationship between dog parks and demographic change suggest a need to attend to notions of public responsibility. I recommend that future research, discussion, representations, and policy regarding dog parks consider the consequences of off-leash areas as amenities within the changing neighborhoods in which they exist.

Toward an Understanding of Noncompliant Behavior in Outdoor Recreation: Linking the Theory of Planned Behavior to Off-Leash Dogs at William B. Umstead State Park
Toward an Understanding of Noncompliant Behavior in Outdoor Recreation: Linking the Theory of Planned Behavior to Off-Leash Dogs at William B. Umstead State Park

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The present study used the theory of planned behavior to elicit attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control measures of dog walkers at William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. The theory states that all behaviors are performed as a result of behavioral intention mediated through the influence of attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. These three components are, in turn, influenced by beliefs, social pressure and perceived facilitation of the behavior. The three tenets of the theory of planned behavior were used to explain the propensity to engage in noncompliant behavior in a park setting--specifically, illegally walking a dog off-leash inside park boundaries. Measures of salient beliefs were accomplished by the addition of Gramann and Vander Stoep's (1986) six typologies of normative violations. Forty-eight percent of dog owners surveyed during the data collection period reported that they had allowed their dog off-leash inside park boundaries within the past 12 months. A combination of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were found to be significant determinants of allowing dogs to run off-leash inside the park. Consistent with previous research, attitude and perceived control influenced behavior more than the subjective norm. Likewise, salient beliefs were significantly linked to attitude, perceived control and subjective norm statements. Based upon this study's findings, the majority of off-leash incidents were classified as belonging to Gramann and Vander Stoep's "responsibility denial", "uninformed" and "willful violation" categories. Implications for management to curb noncompliant behavior are discussed in detail.