Natural Landscapes, Gathering Places, and Prospect Refuges

Characteristics of Outdoor Places Valued by Teens

Abstract

This research focuses on the outdoor places teens value and why they value them. The subjects of the study were twenty-five teens, thirteen female and twelve males, aged fourteen to eighteen, from the same uppermiddle class suburb. The author interviewed the teens and conducted aliterature review and behavior observations. Many teens in this study valued outdoor places where they could be with nature (70%), where they could get away from other people (66%), or where they could be with their friends (30%). Most also said they went to their valued place to look out and not be seen (64%). The literature review shows that many teens from other backgrounds also value these characteristics in outdoor places. These results are significant because knowing the characteristics of the places teens value may aid us in protecting and designing these types of places.