Auditory forms of nonpersonal communication have rarely been evaluated in informal settings like parks and museums. This study evaluated the effect of an interpretive audio tour on visitor knowledge and social behavior at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. A cross-sectional pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design compared the responses of audio…

Most often associated with international development programs, local nonformal education, which is practiced in cultural (museums), historical (memorials, battlefields), natural (parks), and commercial (craft, home improvement clinics) settings, has received little substantive attention in the United States. In response, this case study explored…

While most would agree wholeheartedly with the benefits of getting students out more, there are numerous challenges in doing so, ranging from shrinking budgets to a standardized test-driven scholastic environment. However, the Division of Interpretation in Yellowstone National Park has gone to great lengths to provide resources for the classroom…

To utilize park facilities to their fullest, visitors must be well-oriented to the park's physical layout. The results of a study undertaken at Rocky Mountain National Park indicate that information should be readily accessible and easy to use. (DF)

The use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units has exploded in recent years along with the computer technology to access this data-based information. Geo-caching is an exciting game using GPS that provides place-based information regarding the public lands, facilities and cultural heritage programs within the Virginia Parks and Museum system.…

Rural governance in the UK and elsewhere has undergone far-reaching changes, as partnerships and other collaborative approaches have emerged to address the challenges of rural sustainable development. The legitimacy of this "new rural governance" is purportedly grounded in deliberation between stakeholders, but this is problematic--it is…

The manual provides information on accessibility of facilities, services, and interpretive programs in approximately 300 areas of the U.S. National Park System. Details are arranged alphabetically within each state and usually include a brief historical description, parking, entrance and restroom accessibility, and special adaptations for the…

Recognizing the need for a nationally coordinated effort to reduce playground injuries, the National Program for Playground Safety was created in 1995. This package of materials contains a booklet describing the national action plan for the prevention of playground injuries and accompanying supporting materials. The program booklet, designed for…

Considers (1) how judicious planning and administration of public parks in urban areas can act to bridge racial divisions; and (2) how park administrators can, by creating neighborhood parks, give new focus to neighborhoods and prevent their further deterioration. (Author/GC)

Presented are the results of a study testing the hypothesis that an environmental discontinuity is associated with a reduction in rate of travel along an interpretive trail. (BT)

Cultural change is reflected in the decreasing use and funding of municipal recreation parks and the growing popularity of "Theme Parks" such as Disneyland. (JD)

A microcomputer can generate reports which allow park managers to better schedule crews, equipment and budget. Historical information on spending trends, man-hour distribution, and equipment useage are useful for reports and for justification of requested funds. Various potential uses of the computer data are described. (MT)