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Abstract
This investigation examined experiences of the African-American population living in the Denver area about their visitation to Rocky Mountain National Park. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews with 36 participants, and archival techniques, the authors identify the historical and cultural factors that resulted in low use of the park by African-Americans. Consequently, the authors suggest the use of Bourdieu's "cultural capital" and "habitus" as mechanisms for assisting researchers and practitioners in better understanding and meeting the needs of marginalized people in the United States.
KEYWORDS: Race, ethnicity, bourdieu, national parks, visitation
For many individuals in the United States, visiting a National Park site during leisure time is considered common practice. However, recent studies have shown that traveling to a National Park is not widespread among all ethnic and racial groups and that visitation by racial/ethnic minorities is very low. On average, the White population typically accounts for 91% of park visitors while minority populations such as African-Americans, consist of only 3.8% (Littlejohn, National Park Service, personal communication, 1998; Floyd, 1999). Low visitation rates by minority groups concerns the National Park Service (NPS) because the organization has an ethical, legal and moral responsibility to make parks accessible and available to all individuals (Sandy Weber, NPS Interpretation and Education Branch, personal communication, 1999).
To gain a better understanding of low visitation rates by minorities in National Parks sites, this qualitative research inquiry explored the relationship between Denver's African-American community and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). RMNP is located just 70 miles northwest of the city and is one of the nation's major tourist attractions. In Denver, African-Americans constitute 11.1% of the city's population (U.S. Census, 2000), but they rarely visit the natural area. To understand why the African-American population in Denver tends not to recreate in the RMNP, it is important to identify the historical factors that shape and influence how and where this population recreates. Furthermore, the cultural context in which the African American population from Denver lives is also essential for understanding the underutilization of the park. In this study, the lead researcher explored how historical and cultural factors of the African American community living in Denver have influenced their current outdoor recreation practices.
The current literature that describes minority recreation behavior has focused on...