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Perceptions of Constructed Native Landscapes: A Case Study of Scioto Audubon Metro Park

McGory, Ethan James

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Landscape Architecture, Ohio State University, Landscape Architecture.

The use of native plants has been encouraged by a number of important environmental organizations. Both the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Neighborhood Design program (LEED ND) and Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) award points for the use of native species in planting design. Increasingly, constructed landscapes are being designed to mimic native ecosystems from a pre-human intervention time period (Ellis, Kweon, Alward, & Burke, Kresge Foundation Headquarters, 2011; Myers & Hayes, 2003). This study proposes the use of the term constructed native landscape to describe these landscapes. While there is a growing body of research on the ecological and economic impacts of these landscapes, there is a need to better understand how people perceive constructed native landscapes in order to improve their design, and insure their cultural sustainability.

To better understand how people perceive constructed native landscapes, a case study of the Scioto Audubon Metro Park has been undertaken. Scioto Audubon Metro Park is a 90 acre park that combines ecologically managed existing landscapes (woodland and riparian edge), and constructed native landscapes (wetlands and prairies) with traditional park programs and spaces (dog park, ball fields, playground equipment), and educational programming. A case study involving multiple methodological tools, including survey, review of public information and site observation, has provided a number of insights into how user perceive constructed native landscapes at Scioto Audubon Metro Park.

Our findings suggest that there is a relationship between the use of certain park amenities and a higher appreciation of wetlands and prairies at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. We also found statistically significant associations between knowledge of native plants/landscapes and positive perceptions of them. We found that park users had a slightly higher aesthetic and ecological appreciation of wetlands when compared to prairies. Significant associations were found between the use of nature trails and overlooks, and positive perceptions of constructed prairies and wetlands. We suggests that designers and park managers consider how the dissemination of information on constructed native landscapes, and the inclusion of trails and overlooks might be used to allow people to more fully appreciate these landscapes and help ensure their cultural sustainability.

Jesus J. Lara, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Deborah Georg (Committee Member)
65 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McGory, E. J. (2012). Perceptions of Constructed Native Landscapes: A Case Study of Scioto Audubon Metro Park [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1337891871

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McGory, Ethan. Perceptions of Constructed Native Landscapes: A Case Study of Scioto Audubon Metro Park. 2012. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1337891871.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McGory, Ethan. "Perceptions of Constructed Native Landscapes: A Case Study of Scioto Audubon Metro Park." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1337891871

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)