A Model of Socio- Psychological Characteristics Investigation of Forest Park Visitor as a Park Management Tool (Case Study: Daland Forest Park)

A better use of outdoor recreational places could be achieved when the areas are responsive to visitor's socio-psychological needs in addition to other visitors’ needs. In other word, outdoor recreational areas should be designed based on a variety of visitor's socio-psychological needs. These were investigated in Daland Forest Park, Gorgan, Iran as a case study. In this study, socio-psychological characteristics of visitors’ needs to the Park were investigated and then management guidelines for the area were presented based on the results. In doing so, 168 questionnaires filled out in the Park in summer and fall 1391. Questionnaire justifiability was confirmed by two experts and its reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The results show that most visitors to this area are aimed at having mental relaxation. Also, about 72 percent respondents prefer to see collaboration between police forces and park guards for park security management. Chi-square test was used to examine if there is any relationship between sexes with some socio-psychological needs. The results of this study not only reflect the Park status but, they reflect visitors’ expectations of different socio-psychological aspects that can be used for a better park management.