Recreation in the Duke Forest

Abstract

This recreational user study focused on the Duke Forest in Durham, NC whose mission is primarily to offer research and teaching opportunities. This 7,100+ acre forest has been open to recreation since its establishment in 1931. Recreational studies have taken place every decade since 1981. In this current analysis, camera traps were deployed across 16 entrance gates to count visitors by user type. A visitor survey was also distributed. These data were used to perform an economic valuation of the Duke Forest using a Travel Cost Model. The total number of user days was estimated to be 106,000 per year, and the value of the Duke Forest was estimated to be around $3.5 million dollars per year as a recreational asset to the community. This information will be used by the Duke Forest to better allocate resources, and to manage the growing recreational demand.