Outdoor Recreation Management

Recreation is as important as work; perhaps more important for some. This book is the culmination of our lengthy interest in leisure and outdoor recreation, and their importance to society. While we have taken particular care to put forward a balanced treatment of outdoor recreation management concepts, issues and applications, there are several important considerations for the reader. First, the publication of leisure, recreation and tourism materials has increased markedly over the last two decades. In reviewing much of that literature, we were pragmatic: earlier works were included where they retained relevance, and extensive references to recent publications are provided. Second, the contents and arguments presented are clearly influenced by our geographical backgrounds and a commitment to integrating outdoor recreation management and resource conservation. Third, we are both particularly fascinated by the extent and nature of accessibility and conflict in outdoor recreation, and by the diversity of potential and actual management responses. Moreover, we are not convinced that societies have moved to a leisured existence, and nor are we easily swayed by economic arguments for privatisation of outdoor recreation resources. Nonetheless, we do see greater opportunities for public-private partnerships and local entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, however, many such opportunities have been thwarted by over-conservative planning ideologies and approaches; by inter-agency rivalry and dated organisational cultures; and by political squabbles.