Qualitative research findings : assessment of management alternatives for Acadia National Park carriage roads among local hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians

Stillwater Research

'In order to assist Acadia National Park in identifying management strategies that would enhance visitors experiences on the carriage roads, Friends of Acadia, along with Stillwater Research, implemented a series of focus groups with local hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.' 'Most of the paticipants were local residents who belonged to a user association, frequented Acadia's carriage roads, and had a high levelof awareness of their rules. Many of the participants used the carriage roads for more than one purpose and identified their multi-use dimension as one of the many favorable characteristics of the roads.' 'Although there was a strong consensus in all three groups that peaceful coexistence among hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians on the carriage roads was possible, all three groups identified ongoing problems directly related to their multi-use dimension. Speeding bicyclists and bicyclists' failure to warn were identified as problems by hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians alike.' 'Additional problems cited by bicyclists were: hikers and equestrians failing to keep right; dogs off leashes; and loss of privileges. Equestrians cited inadequate parking facilities and parking fees for day-users at Wildwood as problems.' 'There was a strong consensus in all three groups concerning the most potentially effective and reasonable management strategies to pursue at this time. Each group felt that more, and more effective, education (of appropriate behavior on the roads), coupled with an increased presence of park rangers (or park volunteers), were logical initial solutions. Many suggestions on how best to implement these management alternative were offered.' 'The participating hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians were opposed to any restrictions, limitations, or permits as initial solutions to the problems they had identified. Only if education and increased presence of rangers proved ineffective were two of the three groups (hikers and equestrians), willing to consider restrictions as a way to solve the problems.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /MOUNT DESERT ISLAND