Community and Regional Planning Program

 

Date of this Version

8-2014

Citation

Ward, Rachel J. 2014. An Interpretive Plan Guide for Wilderness Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

A Professional Project Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Community and Regional Planning - M.C.R.P., Major: Community & Regional Planning, Specialization: Environmental Studies. Project Advisory Committee: Professor Gordon Scholz, Chair; Terry Genrich, City of Lincoln Department of Parks and Recreation, Client; Professor Zhenghong Tang; Professor Lisa Pennisi. Lincoln, Nebraska: August, 2014

Copyright 2014, Rachel J. Ward

Abstract

Wilderness Park, located in Lancaster County, Nebraska, is a public park of unique ecological and historical value to the city of Lincoln and to the surrounding region. The natural and historical features of the park present an opportunity to communicate environmental and historical topics that are relevant on local, national, and global levels, as well as inspire a lively sense of pride in the community. The problem is that many topics relevant to Wilderness Park are not currently being interpreted at the park, and that there are relatively few interpretive resources available to park visitors.

The purpose of this project is to initiate the development of an interpretive plan for Wilderness Park. In order to accomplish this goal, the researcher developed a framework to guide the interpretive plan development process and completed initial stages of the interpretive plan development process. Five procedures were used, including a review of interpretive planning literature, a review of existing plans relevant to Wilderness Park, development of a framework to guide the development of an interpretive plan for Wilderness Park, focus group discussions with Wilderness Park managers and educators, and a survey of existing and potential park visitors. The final product of this project was presented to the Wilderness Park managers and educators who are considered to be key stakeholders.

Advisor: Gordon P. Scholz

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