THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON DETERMINING

THE RETENTION OF YOUNG EDUCATED PROFESSIONALS IN MARQUETTE

MICHIGAN

Danielle K. Duffy
Nicholas D. Koch
Patrick D. McAuliffe

Northern Michigan University

School of Health Physical Education and Recreation
RE 467: Research Methods and Evaluation
Fall of 2015

CHAPTER 1

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

INTRODUCTION
The City of Marquette, Michigan needs educated individuals to increase the economic
growth and stability of the area. By offering diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, it is
possible that the city will be more desirable for young professionals to establish themselves in
the workforce. Outdoor recreation has the potential to attract individuals from a multitude of
industries and socioeconomic backgrounds.
We believe that outdoor recreation can play a role in where people decide to live and
work. We hypothesis that by investing in outdoor recreation opportunities more educated
individuals in the workforce will decide to live in Marquette. By attracting these individuals
Marquette can expand the diversity of industries within the city. In turn this diversity will
contribute to the overall stability and growth of the local economy.
BACKGROUND
In recent years more cities are investing into outdoor recreation to reap the economic
benefits. Duluth, Minnesota has been actively investing into outdoor recreation in order to attract
potential residents and increase tourism. The city has allocated 18 million dollars from collected
tourism taxes to be invested in recreation for the 2015 fiscal year. This tax money is collected
from lodging, as well as food and beverage establishments. The ongoing, St. Louis River
Corridor Project, attempts to stimulate the local economy not only through active community
evolvment, but also through the creation of more local jobs.
Oscar Burt(1971), an increase in leisure, combined with advances in technology, have
made recreation in the outdoors an important economic commodity. Recreation is often resource
orientated, meaning that the recreation participant must transport themselves to the area where
the recreation activity is available. Marquette is fortunate to have diverse terrain and land

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

features capable of hosting a wide variety of recreational activities. Marquette, being the isolated
community that it is, in reference to there being no major towns or cities in close geographical
proximity that could act as economic competitors, leads to a great opportunity. If an individual is
participating in recreational activities within Marquette, they will most likely be spending money
in local businesses and other establishments as opposed to driving to those businesses and
establishments that are located outside of the City of Marquette.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Recent conducted census 25.5% of the population in the City of Marquette, falls under
the poverty line. In comparison, the State of Michigan, currently averages 16.8% of the
population falling below the poverty line. The unemployment rate in Marquette is also higher
than the state's average. Marquette currently has an unemployment rate of 7.4% while the state is
currently at 5.4% unemployment. In order to optimize the cities economic growth there needs to
be research conducted to determine if outdoor recreation contributes to the retainment of
educated individuals capable of influencing positive growth in the community. At this point in
time 37% of the adult population of Marquette has some level of higher education as opposed to
the state lower amount of 25.9%. We need to determine if these individuals are staying in the
community because of recreational opportunities or if there are other reasons that they remain.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to understand whether outdoor recreation affects the
retainment of educated individuals in the, City of Marquette, Michigan.
RESEARCH QUESTION

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Does recreation have an influence on the acquisition and retention of educated
professionals in the, City of Marquette area.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The economic growth and sustainability of the, City of Marquette, depends on the ability
to retain individuals with higher degrees of education. Outdoor recreational opportunities add to
the appeal of the area, therefore increasing the desire to create a life in the region. By studying
the influence outdoor recreation has in determining a residents permanency, we can determine
whether the investment into outdoor recreational activities is beneficial to the overall economic
circumstance of the population.
It is our intent that the results yielded from this study can be utilized by the local
government and the community members of the, City of Marquette. The information found can
be used to determine the appropriate expenditure of government funds, maximising the economic
effects on the community. The results will also provide insight into what young professionals are
looking for when choosing a permanent location.
ASSUMPTIONS

Marquette, Michigan is a coastline community along Lake Superior

Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior
Marquette is the most populated city in the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan
Marquette is home to Northern Michigan University
LIMITATIONS

Small sample size

Not interviewing some of the population
Timing of the study
Self reporting study with possibility of false answers
DEFINITIONS

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Bachelor's Degree or Higher - are those who have received a bachelor's degree from a college or
university, or a master's, professional, or doctorate degree.These data include only persons 25
years old and over. The percentages are obtained by dividing the counts of graduates by the total
number of persons 25 years old and over.
Economic growth - An increase in the capacity of an economy to produce goods and services,
compared from one period of time to another.
Educated Bachelor or higher level of education
High School Graduates - include people whose highest degree was a high school diploma or its
equivalent, people who attended college but did not receive a degree, and people who received
an associates, bachelors, masters, or professional or doctorate degree. People who reported
completing the 12th grade but not receiving a diploma are not included.These data include only
persons 25 years old and over. The percentages are obtained by dividing the counts of graduates
by the total number of persons 25 years old and over.
Median value - divides the value distribution into two equal parts: one-half of the cases falling
below the median value of the property (house and lot) and one-half above the median. Median
value calculations are rounded to the nearest hundred dollars.
Middle age 41-60 years old
Outdoor recreation - Any activity conducted exclusively or primarily in an outdoor setting to
include but not limited to, motorized, non-motorized and activities deemed as quiet sports.
Peer group - A group of individuals who share similar characteristics such as socioeconomic
status, level of education and interests.

Quiet sports - Also known as, quiet recreation, is any activity that is done utilizing the
participants own power versus that of an external power source other than that which nature
provides. Examples include: Nordic/Alpine skiing, paddle sports, biking, backpacking, etc.
Socioeconomic - Focus on the relationship between social behavior and economics. Especially
how social norms, ethics and other social philosophies that influence consumer behavior shape
an economy, and examines potential results from changes to society or the economy.
Working Class - Persons in a social class marked by jobs that provide low pay, require limited
skill and/or physical labor, and have reduced education requirements.
Young people 20-40 years old

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to understand whether outdoor recreation affects the
retainment of educated individuals in the City of Marquette, Michigan. The following sections
examine current cities implementing more emphasis on recreational opportunities for economic
growth. The next section develops a better understanding of the value of recreation to a
community from both an individual and public standpoint. This is followed by information
regarding the effects in which a higher educated workforce inflicts on the local economy.
RECREATION FROM AN INVESTMENT STANDPOINT

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

More cities are investing in outdoor recreation in order to achieve economic growth and
stability. Aside from the individual benefits such as intrinsic value, physical health, and
psychological health, a community as a whole can gain positive economic value from
recreational opportunities. Individuals with higher levels of education have higher disposable
incomes and can afford to participate in these recreational opportunities. Investment in such
opportunities open up job opportunities as well as additional income in the form of tourism.
The most recent case study we can look at is the city of Duluth Minnesota. Duluth has
recently decided to change the image of their city from an industrial faade to a reactional utopia.
The city council approved 18 million dollars to be spent on recreation investments within the
city, and the overall goal is to invest a total of 50 million dollars within the next ten years. By
making the city more aesthetically pleasing, the council hopes to increase the amount of
educated residents as well as increase the amount of tourism.
Marquette is very similar to Duluth from a geophysical standpoint. The climate is very
similar as well the major land features. Both cities are located on Lake Superior. Duluth is using
this coastal location to promote water based forms of recreation for its current and potential
residents. They have invested into the advertisement of fishing and wildlife viewing
opportunities. This advertisement is currently being handled by the cities board designated for
advancement in tourism.
THE EFFECTS OF RECREATION
Recreation has positive effects on a community and is often taken into consideration
when choosing a location to reside. Parks and recreation provide intrinsic value as well as
contributing to the overall aesthetics of a community. Increased income and leisure, combined

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

with advances in transportation technology, have made outdoor recreation an important
consumption commodity in the United States, much of which is provided by the public sector of
the economy (Burt 1971). These consumptions result in positive economic growth for the
surrounding areas.
The intrinsic value of recreation has been argued for centuries. Abraham Maslow, an
American Psychologist was responsible for creating what is known as Maslow's hierarchy of
needs. This diagram illustrates a pattern of human behaviors and needs that are required to
achieve the ultimate level of self-actualization. Maslow suggested that the human need for
aesthetics (appreciation of beauty and order) and cognition (knowledge and understanding)
precedes the need for self-actualization (Cordes, 1996). The aesthetic aspect of outdoor
recreation, although sometimes overlooked for economic value, is a contributing factor in
achieving intrinsic value.
In addition to Maslow's positive perspective of outdoor recreation and the human psyche,
famous philosopher Aristotle also considered the value of recreation. According to Aristotle,
leisure is more positive and more self-sufficient than relaxation or entertainment. Only after the
pleasures of recreation have been enjoyed and have accomplished their purpose does the full role
of leisure even enter upon the scene. In current terminology, these are the physiological needs
and the needs for defense against aggression (Owens, 1981). In terms of creating an ideal
community, individuals with a healthier perspective on life and leisure are more likely to create a
positive atmosphere within their community.
The economic value of outdoor recreation also needs to be addressed when determining
the contributing value individuals place on recreation when choosing a community to live and
work. One way to address this issue is to evaluate consumer spending on recreational pursuits.
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The money an individual spends on outdoor recreation is difficult to narrow down because
people buy items for multiple uses. The other issue is the research that has been done on the topic
thus far has used different statistical methods for computing totals (Strenger, 1997, p.68). The
following figures account for the annual expenditure of two different outdoor recreational
activities for participants over the age of 16:
In 2011 Americans spent a total of 90 Billion dollars while participating in hunting and fishing
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Survey on Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Related
Expenditures, p.9)
In 2011 Americans spent $54,961,547 while participating in wildlife observation (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Survey on Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Related Expenditures, p.
16)
We can compare these two examples of recreational expenditure with the same categories
from the year 1996. This duration of 15 years shows an increased trend in spending in both
categories.
In 1996 Americans spent $67.9 billion dollars while participating in hunting and fishing (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, National Survey on Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Related
Expenditures)
In 1996 Americans spent a total of 29 billion dollars while participating in wildlife observation
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Survey on Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related
Expenditures)
Communities that combine outdoor recreational opportunities with retailers specializing
in these areas see more economic benefits than communitys singularly providing either
opportunities or specialized retailers. These opportunities provide the area with an increased flow

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

of tourism. Tourism results in the direct expenditure in the following categories; recreation,
entertainment, transportation, retail, food and beverage, and accommodations. In return that
spending directly affects job opportunities, taxes, wages, and levels of production (Adams 1995).
Cities like Duluth Minnesota are acknowledging the positive economic impact of outdoor
recreation and taking steps to utilize the benefits that tourism offers in relation to recreation
activities. The city aims to spend 18 million dollars on recreational improvements in the 2016
fiscal year. This money was secured from a tax on local food and beverage establishments as
well as lodging and accommodation establishments. The hope is to improve the city's current
economic standing as well as increase the overall appeal in tourism.
Beyond tourism recreation opportunities have been accredited with increasing the overall
property value in the surrounding areas. In a rural context, undeveloped land, or recreational
areas are seen as an asset by many landowners (Gartner, Chappelle, and Giraud 1996). In 1978
Research was conducted on the overall value of land adjacent to State owned and operated
recreation lots in New York. The results indicated that land parcels adjacent to the State park had
a monetary value equal to 20% higher than parcels of land in the community not directly
adjacent to the State land (Correll 1978).
The overall value of recreation spans across multiple categories. The psychological
benefits not only create healthier individuals they contribute to an overall healthier society. From
an economic standpoint, recreation brings the appeal of tourism and consumer spending. The
overall aesthetics of the community increases, contributing to an increased property value and
self-actualization of the residents.

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMY

There is a significant link between higher education and economic growth. Innovations
resulting in new products and new approaches to production and distribution of products has
resulted in an overall rise in the standard of living (Becker 1993). The majority of these
innovations can be attributed to a higher level of education, however it cannot attribute to these
innovations entirely. New products are often the result of new scientific and technological
advances. Research indicates that a higher level of education helps offset the imbalance of
economic stability when new innovations or products are introduced to an economic Market.
A higher level of education has also been proven to reduce an individuals chances of
unemployment. A lower unemployment rate is accredited with a more stable and prosperous
economy. A study was conducted to determine the perceptions of stability and employment
prospects of individuals with varying levels of education. Participants were asked based on their
current level of education how likely they thought they were to lose their current employment
position in the event of economic downturn. The workers were also asked if in the event of
unemployment would it be difficult to find a new source of employment. The results indicated
that individuals with a higher level of education perceived their jobs as more stable as well as
being more capable of finding employment. The results are described in detail below:

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to one's perceived notions regarding personal education and the prospects of
unemployment, the bureau of labor statistics has collected actual rates of unemployment and
categorized the averages according to level of education. The following chart shows
unemployment rates in the United States over a span of ten years. The statistics only take into
consideration individuals that are 25 years and older. The data shows a trend that the level of
education is directly connected to the unemployment rate of that educational bracket. With each
increasing education increment, the level of unemployment drops.

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Higher levels of education are also associated with higher wages and a higher overall net
income. Below are the median weekly earnings of Americans during the 2014 fiscal year, as
collected by the U.S. Bureau of labor statistics. The results show a general trend relating a higher
education to a higher average weekly income. Individuals with a bachelors degree made an
average of $433 more than an individual with just a high school diploma. These higher net
incomes result in a higher disposable income. This is the money that is available after subtracting
the cost of basic necessities (food, clothing, shelter). Parts of disposable income can be spent in
local retailers and services, further stimulating the local economic growth.

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Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment

Unemployment rate in 2014 Median weekly
Education attained

(Percent)

earnings in 2014

Doctoral degree

2.1

$1,591

Professional degree

1.9

$1,639

Master's degree

2.8

$1,326

Bachelor's degree

3.5

$1,101

Associate's degree

4.5

$792

Some college, no

6.0

$741

High school diploma

6.0

$668

Less than a high

9.0

$488

5.0

$839

degree

school diploma
All workers

Note: Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and
salary workers.
Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics

Education levels directly impact the economy by decreasing the overall unemployment
rate and increasing the overall net income of the individuals in a population. Increase wages
result in an increased disposable income. This disposable income is used on goods and services
in the local market which gives more value to the local economy. Higher educated individuals
also bring a greater source of innovations in product and marketing. They enable a better use of
product distribute and allow for a better flow of industrial services.

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CONCLUSION
Both education and recreation have an influence over the economy of a region.
Recreational benefits lead to an overall better quality of life ranging from physical to emotional
benefits. Case studies have provided evidence that a change in perception of residents and
tourists in accordance with the beauty of a city. Recreation areas make an area physically more
attractive than industrial locations. As well as, increase the property values of adjacent land.
The level of education an individual has can be used to estimate their level of income. Typically
the higher the level of education an individual has obtained equals a higher average
compensation than those with lower education levels. Advanced levels of education also
decrease the risk of unemployment which in return stabilizes the local economy. Lower
unemployment also contributes to a region's higher average net worth, making the more affluent
overall.

Chapter III

METHOD

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to understand whether outdoor recreation affects the
retainment of educated individuals in the City of Marquette, Michigan. The design of our
research was based on data collected from a questionnaire given to a convenient population. The

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participants were selected and briefed on our survey. Upon receiving the surveys, data was
recorded and analyzed for further evaluation.
PARTICIPANT SELECTION
The goal of this study was to find young individuals with an educated background to
survey for this research analysis. questionnaires were handed out at several local areas, by means
of convenient sample selection. We targeted individuals who appeared to be between the ages of
25 to 35. We were not gender specific. A control group was unnecessary for our procedure.
PROCEDURES
The participants were surveyed by means of convenient sample selection. Participants
were pulled from multiple locations. These locations consisted of businesses located along Third
Street, as well as Washington Street, in the City of Marquette. Employees of the businesses were
the persons asked to complete the survey. The survey was conducted between the hours of 1130
to 2045 on Saturday, November 24th, 2015.
The survey consisted of thirteen multiple choice questions. The participants averaged 3-5
minutes to complete the questionnaire. Surveys were given in paper form. Upon asking an
individual to participate in our survey we quickly briefed them about our intentions. Each
participant was briefed with the following setup:
We are conducting research for our research and development course at Northern
Michigan University. If you would be willing to take five minutes of your time to fill out a brief
10 question survey, we would greatly appreciate it. The survey is completely confidential and all
data collected will be disposed of after the research analysis is concluded.

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Upon receiving the completed survey we thanked the individuals for their participation
and time. We then answered any further questions the participants had about the survey.
INSTRUMENT
To develop our questionnaire we used similar questions to the U.S Census Report. In
order to keep participant confidentiality we used multiple choice questions in an interval format.
To test our survey and the participants for accuracy, we included similar questions with the same
objective to prove consistency. The questionnaire was peer reviewed by a group of students in a
Research and analysis course at Northern Michigan University.

DATA COLLECTION
The data was collected by convenient random sampling. The purpose of this collection
was to further understand the connection between outdoor recreational activity and the
retainment of young educated adults within the Marquette area. The survey given intended to
provide statistical evidence. Participants were shortly briefed about our intentions of the study.
The participants were then instructed to fill out the questionnaire as accurately as possible. The
questions were designed to obtain information on the level of education of the participant. In
addition several of the questions asked participants to indicate how often they participated in
outdoor recreational activities.
HANDLING OF DATA
The surveys were each numbered in the top right corner of the paper. These numbers
served as an identification code to ensure participant confidentiality. Upon receiving the
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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

completed survey, questionnaires were placed in a folder until we were able to properly record
the data in a spreadsheet format. The data was then secured on a password protected computer.
This data will remain stored until the completion of our research and analysis. Paper copies were
disposed of through shredding after the data was recorded onto data analysis software.
ANALYSIS OF DATA
We separated the data by individual question and responses. Each of the possible
responses were given a weighted value unbeknownst to the individual participant. Answers that
supported higher outdoor recreational activities were weighted with a higher value than answers
indicating lower participation. The data was further analyzed by separating the figures into
relevant charts and graphs to better understand the collected data.

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CHAPTER IV

RESULTS

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to understand whether outdoor recreation affects the
retainment of educated individuals in the City of Marquette, Michigan. The independent variable
for this study is outdoor recreational opportunities. The dependent variable for this study was the
retainment of educated individuals in the city of Marquette. The goal of our study was to find out
whether recreational opportunities directly impacted the decision of young educated
entrepreneurs to stay within the Marquette area.
DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
Because our study focused on the retainment of young educated individuals, we surveyed
both male and female participants. We surveyed 15 males between the ages of 23 and 64. There
were 11 women surveyed between the ages 23 and 55. We surveyed 26 people in total. The
average age of the participants fell between 32-34 years of age. The ages of the participants are

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

illustrated below.

Participants were asked how often they participate in recreational activities. We separated
the results by gender. In relation to population size females were found to recreate more

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

frequently than the male population. The gender distribution and recreational frequencies are
charted below.

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

In terms of gender we also separated the data by the level of education each participant
currently possesses. We found that the majority of the participants currently held a bachelor's
degree. Less than 1% of participants had less than a high school diploma. 15% of the participants
had at least a high school diploma. 8% of the survey sample had an associate's degree. Half of
the individuals surveys had a bachelor's degree. The final 19% of the population has a masters
degree. None of the participants we surveyed had a doctorate degree. The data table below
represents the number of participants and their varying degree of education. The graph is also

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

separated by gender.

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

We asked participant to identify what brought them originally to the marquette area. The
categories consisted of educational, employment, and recreational opportunities, family, and
other. The data collected showed a strong emphasis in educational opportunities. 46% of the
participants responded with education being a primary factor in why they have stayed in the area.
5% of the surveyed population accredited employment opportunities. Both 19% of individuals
surveyed identified recreation and family as being the primary reason for staying in the area. The
final 11% of the population identified with other.

SUMMARY

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

In summary, the data shows that there was a considerable amount of time spent recreating
amongst the participants. However, the appropriate questions were not asked of the participants
to either prove or disprove the theory as stated. A more thorough and specific survey would be
required to come to any conclusion on this thesis. In regards to a future survey, it would be ideal
to include questions from previous surveys collected in areas of economic and recreational
development.

CHAPTER V

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to understand whether outdoor recreation affects the
retainment of educated individuals in the City of Marquette, Michigan. The following sections
examine current cities implementing more emphasis on recreational opportunities for economic
growth. The next section develops a better understanding of the value of recreation to a
community from both an individual and public standpoint. This is followed by information
regarding the effects in which a higher educated workforce inflicts on the local economy.
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
The goal of our study was to determine whether outdoor recreation opportunities
impacted the retainment of young educated individuals in the Marquette area. We developed a
study to pinpoint what citizens attributed as the reason they have decided to live in this area. We
also questioned participants as to what forms of recreation they participate in, as well as how
often they perform these activities on a weekly basis.
Our findings of the study did not yield any significant results in regards to our thesis. The
information collected did not prove nor disprove our main objective, but instead were found to
be inconclusive. We did find that for some individuals, recreation did play a key factor in
determining where to live and work, but the data collected was not strong enough to determine a
specific percentage. We found that 27% of participants surveyed noted that recreation was partly
the reason they chose to live in Marquette. None of the participants surveyed accredited
recreational opportunities as the sole reason they have chosen the Marquette area to live. It is

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

important to note that 70% of participants admitted that they do partake regularly in outdoor
recreation activities.
Although the numerical data acquired during the survey did not yield data specific
enough to answer the thesis, the process did yield a general consensus that there would be a
benefit to increasing the availability of outdoor recreational opportunities in the Marquette area.
With that occurring it would increase the draw of educated professionals to come to the area or to
remain in the area as well as increase the economy of the, City of Marquette.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the City of Marquette and the surrounding area is ripe with opportunities
to fulfill all but the most extreme forms of outdoor recreation. There needs to be an open forum
set so that members and potential members of the community can gather to discuss how they
choose to define outdoor recreation as it was discovered that even amongst those that actively
participate, their activities and definition thereof caused animosity. Views varied from those
considering outdoor recreation to be that of quiet sports to those utilizing only motorized
activities. This issue needs to be addressed before progress would be able to be made in this area
of discussion.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
In order to create more accurate data, our first recommendation would be to create
questions that effectively address the variables of the study. There were many questions
incorporated into the study that were deemed unusable, because they did not directly correlate to
the overall thesis question. These questions may have distracted participants, making the data
collected less accurate. We should have prompted our questionnaire in a more standardized

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

manner, as well as word the questions and instructions in a simpler manner. Several participants
asked for clarification on several of our questions.
Another recommendation would be to increase the amount of participants surveyed.
Having a larger amount of participants would create more accurate data. In addition to an
increased population size, we could also focus on surveying young educated individuals like
originally states in our thesis. The ages of participants involved varied, by focusing on one
specific age bracket we can determine what specifically appeals to that generation. Another
recommendation to our research would be reducing the limitations of deadlines
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
The hope of this research is to inform the City of Marquette of the opportunities that exist
in the area in attracting and retaining an educated work force. It was found that individuals in the
area at times held outright contempt for policies and regulations placed upon certain activities
that are prohibited within the Marquette area. Mainly the activities that utilize snowmobiles,
ATVs, dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles . This lead to participants unwillingness to
participate in the survey as they assumed their activity or views would be neglected in favor of
the other group or that of the quiet sports.
Other than the connection people associated with outdoor recreation the other issue was
lack of participation due to reward. This may have potentially been overcome by utilizing an
electronic survey versus paper survey as people seemed to view the paper survey as being more
complex and time consuming.

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THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Another issue that potential arose was that of the participants view of the individual
giving the survey by what they were wearing. The lack of or wearing of certain clothing
impacted the responses of certain participants as well as their willingness to participate in the
survey.

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Becker, W. (1993). Higher education and economic growth. Boston: Kluwer Academic.
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Cordes, K., & Ibrahim, H. (1996). Applications in recreation & leisure for today and the
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Cordes, K., & Ibrahim, H. (1996). Applications in recreation & leisure for today and the future.
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