Abstract
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (Harpers Ferry), located in the eastern United States (U.S.), was established to interpret and preserve cultural and historic resources related to the U.S. Civil War. Natural resource protection for threatened and endangered plant species, as well as peregrine falcon reintroduction efforts, are also within the park's mandate. However, growing outdoor recreation participation makes resource protection and accommodating visitor use at Harpers Ferry difficult. Rock climbing was recently regulated by the park, placing certain areas off limits to climbers. At the request of the park, in Summer 2021, we surveyed past, present, and future rock climbers' (n = 361) perspectives of barriers and constraints for visitation to inform future management. Past use history and recreation specialization were analyzed as potential explanatory predictors for perceived constraints. Results illustrate the modest role of past use history in influencing certain constraints (i.e., parking), resounding support for seasonal falcon nesting closures, and the stability of climbers' responses across specialization groups. These findings contribute to knowledge regarding the relationship between specialization, past use history, and leisure constraints. Furthermore, they advance the practice of environmental management through in-depth understanding of a significant user group, who can help promote the long-term protection of sensitive resources.
•Rock climbing is increasingly regulated by protected area managers.•Species protection and resource stewardship rely on climber support and compliance.•Past, current, and future rock climbers mostly share similar perceived constraints.•Falcon nesting closures were supported; parking and communication were barriers.•Climbers can assist as resource stewards if engaged effectively by managers.