Evaluation of outdoor recreation potential of Scotlandville/Scott's Bluff rural urban interface using spatial technologies

As populations in communities and urban areas increase, so does the need for land to provide housing and other needs within the communities. One of the important needs is finding areas suitable for outdoor recreation. The purpose of this research is to locate suitable or potential areas within the Scotts Bluff interface for outdoor recreation. The specific objectives are to: a) map existing opportunities of recreational potential within the Scotlandville area; b) analyze the outdoor recreation experience value in correlation to different residents currently living in or moving to the area; c) create scenarios providing an overview of the outdoor recreational potential for a future improvement of the recreational experience qualities within the area; and d) define geographically the rural-urban interface of the Scotlandville community using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).;Aerial photographs and DOQQs that were used in this study were downloaded from http://atlas.lsu.edu/ and uploaded in ArcMap 10.1 for analysis. Also, GIS shape files needed to complete this study were obtained through the East Baton Rouge Parish Geographic Information System Program. Park locations, land cover, land use, and subdivisions shape-files were all used in the analysis of outdoor recreation in the Scotlandville community. The results obtained revealed that the parks located in the Scotlandville community lacked opportunities for outdoor recreation. Most of the facilities were in need of upgrades and many repairs. It showed how the purpose of land analysis must be decisive when defining potential areas of outdoor recreational landscapes and choosing a method for measuring access to recreational areas, and to provide important input to leaders of the community dedicated to enhancing the outdoor recreational experience for residents of the Scotlandville community.