Public Preference for Winter Recreation Activities and Willingness to Pay

摘要

This thesis studies financial willingness to pay and winter recreation preference among a college population. Data collection was accomplished by having survey respondents broadly identify their preference for winter recreation activities using a collection of 21 winter recreation activity pictures. The pictures used in the data set will seek to represent a diverse range of winter activities that vary in levels of built infrastructure support. In order to reduce bias based on actual income level, separate picture sorts will represent different recreational expenditure allowances, namely $10, $25, and $50 dollars. The results of the Friedman's Analysis of Variance statistical test found that xr2= 3.15, rejecting the first research hypothesis that there is a correlation between the winter activities that people prefer and how much they are willing to pay for those activities. When looking at recreation preference using Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance a calculated xr2= 48.53. When compared to the tabulated value of 39.99 this showed significant results that regardless of the budget considerations everyone prefers to participate in similar activities. Providing insight on activity selection regardless of budget is performed with the goal of specifying a winter recreation preference baseline from which planners will be able to better design and implement park systems that promote increased access to recreation during winter months.