The Social Benefits of a City Whitewater Park

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the social benefits whitewater paddlers derive from a city whitewater park. Many communities are investing great sums of time and money in the development of whitewater parks, with the expectation that these parks will generate social benefits for park users and their surrounding communities (Moorman et al., 2007; Podolak, 2012). This study sought to determine the nature and scope of these benefits, framing social benefits in terms of Putnam’s (2000) notion of social capital. The researchers used a qualitative case study research design and means-end analysis to conduct the study. The Salida Whitewater Park in Salida, Colorado served as the site for this study, and interviews were conducted with 25 whitewater paddlers at this location. The findings reveal key themes identified in the data related to the notion of social capital, as well as the positive influence that whitewater parks can have in promoting the development and maintenance of social capital among park users and their surrounding communities.