The effects of parks and recreation use on community satisfaction

This study examined community satisfaction in the Town of Gilbert, Arizona. The study tried to determine if there was a relationship between the availability and use of public recreation facilities and citizen satisfaction in the Town of Gilbert. The concept of community satisfaction was the social indicator. The determinants that were used for this study were general satisfaction, adequate park space, evaluation of parks programs/facilities, satisfaction with park facilities, use of facilities, and desire to spend more tax dollars on park facilities. Data were collected from 600 residents of Gilbert in November of 1999 by DataCall Inc. of Phoenix. The survey instrument was a citizen satisfaction survey that included a portion of questions regarding parks and recreation.;A review of the literature verified evidence of a relationship between recreation and community satisfaction. Research has mostly focused on well-being regarding one's personal goals and achievements. Although limited research has evaluated an individual's well-being associated with the services, characteristics, and opportunities of one's community. Three research questions were addressed in this study: (1) What is the overall community satisfaction of residents of the Town of Gilbert? (2) Does length of residency in the Town of Gilbert with the level of participation in recreation programs affect community satisfaction? (3) What is the possible relationship between available park and recreation space and funding of programs and facilities, to community satisfaction?;Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and used general descriptive data analysis. Research question one showed that resident satisfaction was a significant predictor of overall community satisfaction. Results for research question two indicated a positive relationship between the length of residency and a resident's level of community satisfaction. Results of research question three examined residents' willingness to support recreational amenities to community satisfaction and found a weak relationship.;The results of the research questions one and two are encouraging because they were supported. These findings support the relationship between community satisfaction and parks and recreation. Although it is not appropriate to generalize these findings to other communities, the results can add to the implications that parks and recreation amenities can influence an individual's community satisfaction. Recommendations are made for further research in this area.