Date of Award

Fall 2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Education (MSEd)

Department

Human Movement Sciences

Program/Concentration

Physical Education

Committee Director

Edwin Gomez

Committee Member

Lynn Ridinger

Committee Member

Stephen L. Shapiro

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.E44 P35 2010

Abstract

Despite their increasing popularity, dog parks have been subjected to little research. The purpose of this study was to determine if place attachment and its generally recognized sub-components of place dependence and place identity apply to dog parks. Survey respondents were given an on-site questionnaire at a Virginia and at a Florida dog park. Respondents answered questions similar to those used in previous studies of place attachment at other recreational facilities. There was a significant correlation between the constructs of place dependence and place identity and dog park usage. The combined construct of place attachment showed the highest correlation. Regression analysis indicated that only place attachment, but not its sub-components, was a predictor of park usage. There was no significant difference in park usage or in place attachment among income groups. Gender had no significant influence on park use, but females had a higher level of attachment than males. Visitors to the Virginia dog park used the facility more frequently than those in Florida, but they demonstrated less place attachment than their Florida counterparts. A proposed model for viewing place attachment to dog parks as both dependent and independent variables is presented. Based on these findings, some possible areas for future research on this topic were discussed.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/n7ab-1b85

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