Fostering equity: How welcomeness, safety, and representation influence visitor coping and intention-to-return to parks and protected areas

Abstract

Parks and protected areas (PPAs) in the United States, while intended to provide safe, welcoming, and equitable outdoor recreation spaces, may not always live up to these ideals. This study investigated how equity-oriented conditions—specifically procedural representation, welcomeness, and safety—affect visitor coping behaviors and intentions to return (ITR) to PPAs in New Hampshire (NH). In Spring 2023, a representative sample of 1364 NH residents who visit NH PPAs for outdoor recreation was collected as part of the 2024–2028 NH Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Structural equation modeling revealed that procedural representation– visitors feeling engaged with management and decision-making– significantly enhanced perceptions of welcomeness and safety. This engagement correlated strongly with reduced feelings of displacement and increased ITR. Equity-related variables accounted for at least 40% of the variance in ITR, maintaining robust relationships even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Furthermore, respondents perceiving higher levels of welcomeness and safety were less likely to feel displaced and more inclined to revisit PPAs, extending previous research by showing that enhanced procedural representation can improve access to the outdoors.

Study findings highlight the importance of integrating welcomeness, representation, and safety into the management practices of PPAs to ensure they are inclusive and meet diverse community needs. Further, results emphasize the critical role of equitable management to foster visitor loyalty and support sustained use of PPAs by diverse populations. These insights are essential for natural resource managers striving to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of natural resources worldwide.