Picnic Point: A Study on Student Use and Perception

Abstract

Interest in the 21st century understanding of green space sparked research on university students' perceptions and uses of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, specifically Picnic Point, which has belonged to the University of Wisconsin - Madison since 1941. After historical research and analysis of a survey distributed to UW students in their student union, this study strongly indicates that past physical and social changes have shaped Picnic Point into an escape that university students hold dear to their hearts whether they go there for exercise, coursework, to party, or anything in between. The purpose of this project was to assess the significance of Picnic Point and the surrounding Lakeshore Nature Preserve as it pertains, particularly, to University of Wisconsin - Madison students. The primary focus was on the use and perception of the area through the examination of patterns and correlations derived from a series of survey questions. Basic information and guidance was derived from past studies on green space, literature on the natural and political history of the area, and a survey of our own to which we administered to the campus body directly through multiple mediums. With all these factors included, we aimed to make an argument about the identity of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve in the university student community, as well as the role that it plays in the lives of these students. The following is the research design of our project and the subsequent conclusions that we developed based on our final analysis.