Recreation conflict perception among visitors to Tuen Mun Park, Hong Kong, China: outgroup evaluation, resource specificity, and lifestyle tolerance

Abstract

Recreation conflict is a common problem in many outdoor recreation areas. In Hong Kong's Tuen Mun Park, the growing numbers of music performers has increased conflict among park users. This study adopts Jacob and Schreyer's (1980) model of recreation conflict to examine conflict perception among park users. Data were collected from an on-site survey of park users (n = 314) and a telephone survey of Tuen Mun New Town residents (n = 744). Jacob and Schreyer's model provides a partial explanation for differences in recreation conflict perceptions among user groups in the park. The findings confirm the hypothesis that frequent park users are more prone to experiencing conflict. Moreover, age and cultural background are the key factors influencing conflict perception. The findings suggest that efforts are needed to promote understanding and acceptance of the needs of other user groups in public spaces, which requires a thorough review of the current government policy on recreation space and facility development.

Keywords:

• recreation conflict
• outgroup evaluation
• resource specificity
• lifestyle tolerance
• Hong Kong

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledges the support of the Faculty Research Grants of Hong Kong Baptist University, which provided funding to conduct telephone and on-site surveys (FRG/06-07/II-57). We also thank the dedicated services of Mr Yan Wai Kit and Mr Leung Ka Wai, research assistants of the project. We also gratefully acknowledge the anonymous reviewers of this paper for their invaluable comments and suggestions.

Notes

‘Amateur Chinese opera performances at Tuen Mun Park’. A reply to question asked by the Hon Selina Chow, Legislative Councillor, by Dr Patrick Ho, the Secretary for Home Affairs, in the Legislative Council on 14 June 2006, available at http://www.hab.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/publications_and_press_releases/20060614LCQ3park_e.pdf

Quoted from the South China Morning Post (EDT12) editorial on 17 May 2006, available at http://libwisesearch.wisers.net/wisesearch/tool.do?_

‘Government to give noisy park quiet entertainers’. Reported by Robin Kwong in South China Morning Post (City 1) on 25 February 2006.

The Survey Research Laboratory of the Department of Sociology, the Hong Kong Baptist University, was commissioned to conduct the survey.

According to a report in the South China Morning Post entitled ‘Bands on the run’ published on 20 July 2005 (in column Life City 5), available at http://libwisesearch.wisers.net/wisersearch/tool.do?_