The role of fairness in users’ assessments of first‐time fees for a public recreation service

User response to first‐time fees for public leisure services is not well understood. Although it is believed that fees decrease recreation participation, there is only mixed support for this assumption within the leisure literature. An emerging literature suggests that perceptions of fairness may play a critical role in determining client response to fees. A mail survey conducted among 1,405 visitors to public recreational day‐use areas across the United States suggests the presence of two client types. The first type has paid fees in the past and seems relatively less troubled by the prospect of doing so again in the future. In all cases, this group is more willing to pay fees and to pay higher fee levels than is its counterpart. The second client type typically has not paid fees for favored public leisure services and its members resent even the implication that they may be asked to do so. They assert that fees are unfair and that they feel victimized through the introduction of fees. User resentment is exacerbated by participants’ familiarity with the recreational setting. Those living closest to the sites are most likely to be indignant at the thought of paying a first‐time fee.

Keywords:

• Fairness
• fees
• indignation
• reference price
• public sector