Residents' Perceptions of Neighborhood Parks in Springfield, Missouri

Date of Graduation

Spring 2005

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

Dimitri Ioannides

Abstract

This research was undertaken to determine the perceptions of neighborhood residents in Springfield, Missouri towards their parks and whether these perceptions reflect the negative perceptions found in the NIMBY, Not in my Back Yard, literature. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in four neighborhoods: Phelps Grove, Ritter Springs, Zagonyi and Fort-Cherokee. The results of this study found that the NIMBY phenomenon does exist in regard to parks. Four parallels can be drawn between the literature on NIMBYISM and the actual data found in the four neighborhoods. In turn, these include the degree of the NIMBY phenomenon; the concerns of residents; quality of life issues; and the characteristics of the residents. The degree of the NIMBY phenomenon experienced by residents differed according to the type of park and neighborhood. In all neighborhoods, the concerns and quality of life issues of the residents were the same, but their characteristics were not. The information gained from this research will help policy makers and city planners improve existing neighborhood parks and plan for future ones. These parks can help improve the overall quality of life for the citizens of Springfield and Greene County.

Keywords

NIMBY, park, neighborhood renewal, natural environments for housing developments, center city revitalization

Subject Categories

Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration | Urban Studies and Planning

Copyright

© Marcelyn Bunch

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