RESULTS 



Participation rates for both Black and White groups in selected outdoor recreation 

 activities are presented in table 2. The Black group does not differ significantly 

 from the White group in those activities typically done in urban recreation settings, 

 including tennis, picnicking, sunbathing, and swimming in outdoor pools. Participation 

 rates for the Black group, however, are significantly lower than those of the White 

 group in activities typically associated with wildland settings--camping (both devel- 

 oped and primitive), water and snow skiing, boating, hiking or backpacking, hunting, 

 and sightseeing (at historical sites or natural wonders). More importantly, table 2 

 also shows that when both groups were asked to identify outdoor recreation activities 

 in which they do not now participate but would desire to, the Black group was no more 

 likely than the White to want to participate in wildland recreation activities. In 

 fact, both groups tend to desire outdoor recreation activities that are similar to ones 

 they are relatively active in already. 



There are some notable exceptions to this pattern for the Black group. Fishing, 

 nature walks, horseback riding, and driving vehicles and motorcycles in off-road areas 

 are all activities in which participation rates of both groups are almost equal. 



To determine whether inhibitory "marginality" factors (such as lack of income or 

 educational deficits) or demographic differences in population composition (such as age, 

 sex, or residence) account for these different rates, a subsample of 170 Black and 

 White respondents was drawn and perfectly matched Blacks and Whites on sex, age, income, 

 education, and place of residence (region and urban, suburban or rural community). 

 Participation rates for selected outdoor recreation activities were then compared. The 

 results indicate that most differences in participation rates remain or decrease only 

 slightly (table 3). In some cases, variations in rates could reflect chance sampling 

 errors, as perhaps for "driving for pleasure." 



3 



