Resort & Recreation Management

V. Principles of Resort & Recreational Design

The idea of site design is to anticipate the problems of land usage and provide a physic
al form solution to ensure that the problems never arise. Through the application of the
following principles, management can develop recreational attractions and facilities that
will respect the natural resources base while minimizing management and maintenance
problems.
Design Principles and Practices
Albert J. Rutledge has identified eight overriding principles to which all design projects s
hould adhere:
1. Be sure that everything has a purpose.
2. Design for people
3. Satisfy both function and aesthetics
4. Establish a substantial experience
5. Establish an appropriate experience
6. Satisfy technical requirements
7. Meet needs for the lowest possible cost
8. Provide for supervision ease

PRINCIPLE 1: Everything Must Have a Purpose

Design elements must have an identifiable purpose. One such purpose is
to establish appropriate relationships between the various parts of the
recreational complex. These parts include: natural elements (land, water,
plants); use areas (game courts, ball diamonds, parking lots, roads, walks,
and maintenance yards); major structures (buildings, dams); minor
structures (drainage, electrical and other utilities, fences, benches, drinking
fountains, signs); people; and other animals. In addition, all are affected
by forces of nature (wind, sunlight, precipitation).
While each part will present a singular demand, no part can work in
isolation from another. For instance, a. orientation to the sun affects the
location of the amphitheater for the sun must not directly shine in the
eyes of the audience.
b. The amphitheater sitting directs the placement of the parking lot;
c. which narrows down the possibilities for access routes to public streets;
d. The amphitheater parking lot could serve the nearby marina, but the
marina noise, in turn, must be neutralized before it reaches the
amphitheater;
The traffic invited to this amphitheater-marina complex must not
conflict with surrounding land uses, as it would provide a safety
hazard for children crossing neighborhood streets;
f. On the other hand, the smell, noise, and visuals emanating from
surrounding facilities must not cause the enjoyment of theater going
or boating to be lessened.
Interdependence among all parts must be recognized and
accommodated if any simple part is to work.

PRINCIPLE 2: Design must be for People

People are the benefactors of any recreational unit development. However, development succe
ss if often measured by how well it meets the demands
of machines and equipment, how it simplifies administrative paperwork,
and how it fits an unyielding formula of qualitative standards.
The elevation of impersonal requirements to prime measures of
development success can lead to the creation of uncomfortable mold into
which people must then be forced. This conflicts with design purpose,
which in recreational unit design is to develop an environment that fits
people.

People involved in design:

Recreational Unit Designer/Landscape Architect
This person or team has training in design and is going to coordinate the
design process. While he/she is hired by the recreational committee, the
responsibility for appropriate and creative recreational unit design is
primarily directed at the recreational unit users. This role may be played
by a consultant or staff person.
Recreational Unit Board or Commission
This group of individuals is a volunteer group, appointed by the mayor, or
town board to administer the recreational units department. The
recreational unit board hires and dismisses recreational unit employers or
designates that task to the recreational unit director or superintendent.
They make plans and set priorities.
Recreational Unit Staff
These people focus on the various aspects of recreational unit development and programming.
The recreational unit superintendent or director assigns and oversees all staff activities. The siz
e and complexity of the recreational unit system and recreational units budget may be key to th
e recreational
unit design process, but his/her opinion is the only valid set of concern.

Recreational unit staff may be assigned to plan and design new recreational units or to improve
existing recreational units. Some of these projects may require outside consultant.
Although some recreational unit staff may be assigned to construction tasks for new recreationa
l units or renovations, it is more common for new construction to be
done by an outside contractor.
Maintenance staff are responsible for the upkeep of equipment, playfields, natural areas, and all
facilities. Most maintenance tasks are done in-house, but some are
done by outside contractors.
Programming staff are responsible for organized activities such as soccer leagues,
summer recreation offerings, and nature interpretation. Program staff only rely on volunteers
to help conduct the program required or requested by recreational unit users.
Recreational unit security may involve yet more staff. Security is usually handled by the local
police officer, but large recreational systems may have their own security
personnel.

All these people are, in different ways, in roles of service to the public.
Administration, design, construction, maintenance, program, and security activities all focus on
the provision of enjoyable, convenient, and safe
recreational units for people.
Balance impersonal and personal needs
In seeking to address both the personal and universal needs of the guest, the designer has to
consider the purpose of various elements within the
site. At times the guest will require information like- where is the
entrance or exit?, when does the facility open or close? The use of
signage will address this.
Each guest has personal needs that also can be met through good
design. Ex. The placement of seats in the airport terminals. Locked in
place and built in rows, they do not encourage eye contact. Some
people have even suggested that their design is part of a plan to
encourage people to sit in bars and restaurants, which have seating areas more conducive to
conversation and personal contact.

A variety of needs must be taken into account. Design should offer

spaces for companionship as well as solitude, safety and challenge,
standardization and creativity. Ex. Snowboarders want a wild and cozy
experience; conference attendees seek information.
Play areas, especially those for kids, should encourage creativity. If pieces of equipment are des
igned such that they relate to each other, they offer more opportunities for integrated and creat
ive play.
3 types of play equipment:
Stationary- climbers, horizontal ladders, balance beams, and tunnels;
Manipulated equipment – wagon, bicycles, balls and toys
Motion equipment – slides, swings and merry-go-round
PRINCIPLE 3: Both Functional and Aesthetic Requirements Must be Satisfied
Products must not have only quantity but quality as well.
Site design quality can be evaluated on two bases:
1. Highest dollar value – that which can be measured by hard cash.
2. Human value- that which can be judged by human response
To arrive at a quality recreational design, both dollar and human value
aspects must be weighed.
It is important that in striking a balance between dollar and human values, that problems of fun
ction and aesthetics be solved concurrently. As
design strives to balance dollar and human values, so too should
evaluation.

PRINCIPLE 4: Establish a Substantial Experience

The first step toward understanding or sensing organization perceiving order-in a work is placing
a label upon it. It is answering the question “what is it?” This is why you see titles on abstract p
aintings. They are
the artist’s concession to the general public.
Since it is impractical to hang labels on a recreational unit development, the development itself
must have such strong character that it produces an impression capable of being identified.
The same thing is possible for human works. Each constructed unit is
capable of evoking an emotional image whose influence could cause
one immediately label it peaceful or awesome.
The raw materials of the site design are not trees,
land, etc., but things as real as those material
objects: lines, forms, textures, and colors. These
will help produce emotional effects.

PRINCIPLE 5: Establish an Appropriate Experience

Establishing a substantial experience means answering the question what
is there? The key for the designer is to extend the aesthetics of what
nature has already provided into man-made structure that are added to
the site. To find this key, the designer examines the physical characteristics
of the site, the personality of the users, and the ambience that is usually
part of the activity being undertaken on the site.
The people attracted to a particular location - the target market might be
somewhat homogenous in their personality type. If this is the case, it is
appropriate to account for this in the final plan. The key is to surround
users with the familiar. Some people are more conservative in taste than
others, some are more flamboyant. Conservative prefer clean, no-nonsense design, while the m
ore extroverted appreciate more flash.

Just as individuals have personalities, so, too, do the various activities that will take place on a s
pecific site. Meditation requires a peaceful setting,
while a child’s playground needs bright colors and action-oriented spaces.
At the same time, however, recall the importance of mental exercise. The
designer can enrich projects with unexpected variations, fascinating details, or exciting surprises
: an unanticipated opening to a view, a gurgling pool
appearing in an apparently tranquil setting, or suddenly discovered
richness of material in a hidden place-all potentially stimulating mental
experiences because of the unexpected contrast they provide.

Scale is a relative unit of measurement. As expressed in physical features

and spaces, its appropriateness must also be sensed in a quality work.
Designers of outdoor facilities concern themselves with two types of scale, which are:
1. Human scale – the most basic “known,” hence and most widely used
unit of measurement is one’s own physical self.
2. Speed scale – is also a designer’s concern, for the swiftness with which
you move affects your ability to experience.

PRINCIPLE 6: Satisfy Technical Requirements

These are the minimal standards of quantity, structure, and performance
that must be met if the product is to be used at all usable.
The size of a recreational site must be large enough to ensure high-
quality experience. In balancing quality with cost, it is important to
locate facilities where a minimum remodeling of photography is necessary. Wherever possible,
dual use of facilities allows for the provision of more
facilities at a reasonable cost.
Good planning means providing not only for existing demand but
anticipating possible future expansion and, whenever possible, having a
contingency for that expansion.

Sun, wind, rain, and snow must all be taken into account when developing recreational facilities.
Wind can help or hinder certain activities. A breeze is effective in helping remove cooking smell
s from picnic areas. However, heavier winds have a negative impact on sporting activities.
The amount and frequency of rain will affect timing of events.
From administrative point of view, if maintenance is to occur during times when facility is closed
to the public, public roads and walkways can be
used. When maintenance is to occur when the public is around, a
secondary service circulation system is required.
Lastly, the comfort of the user must be taken into account. This might
mean ensuring correct pitch on a bench, setting easily negotiable
Proportions for outdoor steps, and otherwise considering the user’s
physical ease.

PRINCIPLE 7: Meet Needs for Lowest Possible Cost

Although technical needs are rather easy to identify, their satisfaction and
that of more elusive requirements is often balked due to lack of funds.
Here is the more classic conflict faced by the designer, one for which he or she must establish a
balanced set of priorities: the conflict between needs and budget restrictions.
It is incumbent on designer to avoid unnecessary costs. They must
suggest only what can be supported by sound purpose. Yet, they are
obliged not to skimp, for professionalism dictates that their design must
satisfy the true needs of the development.
Communication between the developer and designer is necessary to
ensure that facilities meet the needs of the visitor at a cost that allows the developer to make pr
ofit. This means considering development as well as maintenance costs.
Using the strengths and being aware of the limitations of the site can
reduce costs. Campsite construction is much lower if building occurs on
soil that drains well and does not require under draining. Pine trees die
quickly when subject to heavy foot traffic, while hardwoods survive longer.

Provide Appropriate Structural Materials. Materials used in construction should be based on t

hese qualities:
1. Durability – Will it stand up to wear and tear?
2. Appearance – Does it blend with its surroundings?
3. Availability – Is it available when needed?
4. Tactile qualities- How does it feel to the touch?
5. Climatic adaptability- Will it remain stable in this environment?
6. Drain ability- Is it usable after storms?
Provide Appropriate Plant Materials. Plants can be used to enhance any design. Plant needs ar
e described in terms of:
1. Soil – heavy, light, acid, alkaline
2. Moistures – heavy or light
3. Hardiness- ability to handle extreme
 temperatures
4. Life Span – longevity
5. Susceptibility to disease
As a rule, select plants as new growth, plant
varieties with characteristics similar to
existing vegetation.

PRINCIPLE 8. Provide for Supervision Ease

The degree to which control can be exercised should be addressed early
in the design process. It will be found that there are circumstances in
which any attempt to control movement or use is a waste of effort, for
the directive will be ignored.
There are also instances where use not only cannot, but should not, be
regulated. Consider a free play area. To the users, it appears an arena
for doing their own thing. Allow sites to simply be there beckoning the user to wander, dig a hol
e, build a shack, fly a kite, or bake a potato.
In any public facility that serves a great number of people, movement is
an issue of primary concern. If people can get where they want to go
readily and without interfering with other activities, a feeling of peace
permeates the site. The charge is therefore before the landscape
architect: Anticipate flows, Eliminate obstacles and confusion. Provide
unobstructed, well defined, and logical routes.