Public Participation in National Park Service Planning

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Written by Clemson University SCRDP Monday, 01 June 2009 11:40

Summary of: Webler, T., Tuler, S., & Tanguay, J. (2004). Competing perspectives on public participation in National Park service planning: The Boston Harbor Islands national park area. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 22(3), 91-113.

Study:

This article reports on an “empirical investigation in which we explore what participants of the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership planning process think about the most appropriate way to conduct public participation” (91).

Findings:

Planning and management of national park system units involving the public’s opinions is becoming more common and increasingly innovative.
“Success is a function, not only of the design features used, but also of the extent to which the design matches the needs and preferences of the participants. If planners d not address conflicting expectations about what is an appropriate process, then even the best-run process may not be deemed successful or legitimate by important stake holders” (111).
The performance of the process is based on how participation methods are applied.
The main concern of all parties involved in public participation should be building a process that engenders learning and is adaptable as needs change or arise.

Tags National Parks - Planning - Participation

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