ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on an effort to more precisely delineate the outdoor recreation patterns and preferences of black and white Chicago households, compares these patterns, and explores explanations for similarities and differences. It discusses recommendations for recreation resource management and research. The most significant underlying dimension in the differences between the recreation participation and preferences of black and white Chicago households is the stronger urban orientation of the black households. Chicago households, particularly blacks, devote a significant amount of their outdoor recreation time to activities close to home. Consequently, efforts to enhance the recreation opportunities for Chicago residents, and particularly blacks, should give significant attention to nearby resources. The strong black orientation to developed sites and meeting people suggests that efforts to enhance recreation opportunities for blacks should give particular attention to developed sites and opportunities for the social interaction.
