Metropolitan parks in Melbourne: a critical analysis of factors affecting visitation by regional Victorians

The principal aim of this thesis was to investigate visitation to Melbourne by regional Victorians with particular emphasis on finding ways to improve visitation to metropolitan parks. This thesis incorporated two theories of leisure participation, from which a conceptual framework was developed. Crawford, Jackson and Godbey's (1991) constraints model and Raymore's (2002) facilitator's framework were used to investigate the decision making process of regional visitors to Melbourne's parks. Earlier quantitative research by Parks Victoria indicated a decline in visitation of both regional Victorians and Melburnians to Melbourne's metropolitan parks between the years 2000 and 2003 (Community Perception Monitor (CPM), 2000 - 2003). This finding produced an opportunity to conduct research into the constraints on metropolitan park use, particularly by regional Victorians. The research was conducted using individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to gather the requisite data from both regional Victoria and Melbourne. This information was used to establish recommendations in order to raise interest in visiting Melbourne's metropolitan parks.