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Leisure Studies

Faculty Publications

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration

Connecting Children And Families To Nature, Dina Izenstark, Aaron Ebata Jun 2014

Connecting Children And Families To Nature, Dina Izenstark, Aaron Ebata

Faculty Publications

Although more municipal recreation agencies and schools have begun to develop and implement natural playscapes in their communities, there is little empirical evidence on the direct impact of this feature and how it has the potential to benefit children over traditional playgrounds. Researchers at the University of Illinois in the Department of Human and Community Development conducted a study to evaluate the Champaign County Forest Preserve’s new Homer Lake Natural Playscape between August and December 2012 using a mixed-methods research design. This entailed an onsite questionnaire (n=152) and one-on-one interviews (n=15) with parents and grandparents, as well as participant observations …


Demographic And Recreation Trends Analysis For The Oak Lawn Park District, Dina Izenstark, Grace Yan, Laura Payne Jan 2007

Demographic And Recreation Trends Analysis For The Oak Lawn Park District, Dina Izenstark, Grace Yan, Laura Payne

Faculty Publications

In 2006, the Oak Lawn Park District began a multi-phase strategic planning process. They partnered with the University of Illinois' Office of Recreation and Park Resources to conduct a recreation and park needs assessment/evaluation study. Data for this study was collected from August through December, 2006. In addition to the final study report of findings, the Office of Recreation and Park Resources also conducted an analysis of demographic and recreation trends. Existing data collected by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Sporting Goods Association regarding recreation preferences, behaviors and trends was used in conjunction with the OakLawn Park District …