DR. NICHOLAS PITAS
My colleagues and I work to establish the benefits of parks and recreation to individuals and communities, and to understand best practices in financing and delivering these services. As public funding for public parks and recreation is vulnerable to larger economic and societal forces, I am currently examining alternative funding strategies, and supplements to traditional funding mechanisms.
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My research has been published in outlets including Preventing Chronic Disease, American Journal of Health Promotion, Leisure Sciences, Journal of Leisure Research, Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, Community Development, and Journal of Extension.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Pitas, N. A., Powers, S. L., & Mowen, A. J. (accepted). Neoliberal conservation and equity in the context of local parks and recreation: Stakeholder perceptions on public-non-profit partnerships. Journal of Leisure Research.
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Kim, J., Baker, B., Pitas, N. A., Benfield, J., Hickerson, B., & Mowen, J. (accepted). Perceived ownership of urban parks: The role of the social environment. Journal of Leisure Research.
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Pitas, N. A., Powers, S. L., & Mowen, A. J. (2021). Understanding the agency-foundation relationship: The role of nonprofit foundations in delivering local park and recreation services. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, online first.
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Pitas, N.A., Gebhart, K. K., Hickerson, B., & Roehl, W. (2021). Implications of the Great Recession for higher education in leisure studies. Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies & Recreation Education.
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Pitas, N. A. (2020). Factors influencing perceived appropriateness of concessioner activity in Grand Teton National Park. Park Stewardship Forum, 36(3), 519-528. https://doi.org/10.5070/P536349866
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A. J., & Powers, S. L. (2020). Person-place relationships, social capital, and health outcomes at a nonprofit community wellness center. Journal of Leisure Research.
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Pitas, N. A., & Ehmer, C. S. (2020). Social capital in the response to COVID-19. American Journal of Health Promotion.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A. J., Graefe, A. R., & Godbey, G. C. (2020). Whose park is it anyway? Americans' access to, use of, and perceived benefits from local park and recreation services between 1992 and 2015. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.
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Pitas, N. A., Agate, J., & Brott, A. (2020). Informing decision making in extension through importance-performance analysis and the repositioning framework. Journal of Extension.
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Powers, S. L., Pitas, N. A., Barrett, A. G., Graefe, A. R., & Mowen, A. J. (2020). Local Policy-Makers’ Community Priorities and Perceived Contributions of Parks and Recreation. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.
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Powers, S.L., Lee, K. J., Pitas, N. A., Graefe, A. R., Mowen, A. J. (2019). Understanding access and use of park and recreation services through an intersectionality perspective. Journal of Leisure Research.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A.J., Taff, B. D., Hickerson, B., & Graefe, A. R. (2019). Values, ideologies, attitudes, and preferences for relative allocations to park and recreation services. Leisure Sciences.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A.J., Mueller, J.T., Taff, B.D., & Graefe, A. R (2019). The role of values, ideologies, and attitudes in shaping public support for privatization in local park and recreation services. Journal of Leisure Research, 51(1), 16-35.
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Pitas, N. A., Barrett, A. G., Taff, B. D., & Mowen, A. J. (2018). Trends in state government park and recreation expenditures and employment - 2000 to 2014. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 36(4), 107-127.
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Mowen, A. J., Barrett, A. G., Pitas, N. A., Gaefe, A. R., Taff, B. D., & Godbey, G. (2018). Americans' use and perceptions of local park and recreation services: Results from an updated study. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 36(4), 128-148.
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Mullenbach, L. E., Pitas, N. A., Walker, J., & Mowen, A. J. (2018). "It brings the community together": Benefits from local park and recreation renovations. Community Development, 49(5), 420-435.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A. J., Graefe, A. R., Kyle, G. (2018). Place attachment and spending preferences in a local public park system: The case of corporate sponsorship. Journal of Leisure Research, 49(2), 71-90.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A. J., Taff, B. D., Hickerson, B., Radhakrishna, R., & Graefe, A. R. (2018). Attitude strength and structure regarding privatization of local public park and recreation services. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 36(3), 141-159.
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Pitas, N. A., Murray, A., Hickerson, B., & Newton, J. (2018). Repositioning undergraduate education in recreation and leisure studies. Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 33(1), 1-11.
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Miller, Z. D., Jorgenson, J., Nickerson, N., & Pitas, N. A. (2018). A cognitive hierarchy approach to understanding fee increases in the national parks of the United States. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 22, 18-25.
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Pitas, N. A., Barrett, A. G., & Mowen, A. J. (2017). Trends in local park and recreation department finances and staffing in the early twenty-first century. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 35(3), 20-34.
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Barrett, A. G., Pitas, N. A., & Mowen, A. J. (2017). First in our hearts but not in our pocket books: Trends in local governmental financing for parks and recreation from 2004 to 2014. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 35 (3), 1-19.
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Shen, X., Chick, G., & Pitas, N. A. (2017). From playful parents to adaptable children: A structural equation model of the relationships between playfulness and adaptability among young adults and their parents. International Journal of Play, 6(3), 244-254.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A., Hickerson, B., Kersterrer, D., & Koerte, T. (2017). “A unifying force in the community:” Perceptions of a neighborhood park renovation. Community Development, 48(3), 420-435.
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Pitas, N. A., Barrett, A. G., Mowen, A. J., Graefe, A. R., Godbey, G., & Sciamanna, C. (2017). The relationship between park use, recreation program participation, and American Health: 1991, 2015. Preventing Chronic Disease, 14(E02), 1-5.
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Pitas, N. A., Murray, A., Olsen, M., & Graefe, A. R. (2017). A modified importance-performance framework for evaluating recreation-based experiential learning programs. Journal of Extension, 55(1), 1-7.
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Mowen, A.J., Trauntvein, N., Potwarka, L., Pitas, N. A., & Duray, N. (2016). Shifting attitudes towards corporate sponsorship of a public-sector park agency: Results from a 14-year follow-up survey. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 34(2), 12-29.
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Pitas, N. A., Harrist, C., Hegarty, B., & Mowen, A. (2016). Exploring the parent-coach and child-athlete relationship in the recreational sport context. Applied Recreation Research and Programming Annual Journal, 6, 18-52.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A.J., Liechty, T., & Trauntvein, N. (2015). “Proceed with caution”: Public perceptions regarding corporate sponsorship of park and recreation services. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 33(4), 1-15.
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PRESENTATIONS
Pitas, N. A., Powers, S. L*., & Mowen, A. J. (February 2021). Neo-liberal conservation strategies in local parks and recreation: Implications for social equity. Research session presented at the 2021 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching. Virtual conference due to pandemic.
Zou, S., & Pitas, N. A. (February 2021). Community-benefit vs. user-benefit: The effectiveness of fee increase justification messaging for public recreation services. Research session presented at the 2021 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching. Virtual conference due to pandemic.
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Pitas, N. A. (April 2020). Factors influencing perceived acceptability of concessioner services at Grand Teton National Park. Research session accepted for presentation at the 2020 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD. (cancelled due to COVID-19).
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Powers, S. L., Pitas, N. A., Oliver Peets, J., Hickerson, B., Baker, B. L., Mullenbach, L. E., & Mowen, A. J. (April 2020). Impact of park renovations over time and across neighborhoods. Research session accepted for presentation at the 2020 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD. (cancelled due to COVID-19).
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Pitas, N. A., Roehl, W. (February 2020). Implications of the Great Recession for higher education in leisure studies. Research session to be presented at the 2020 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching, Champaign-Urbana, IL.
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Powers, S. A., Lee, K. J., Pitas, N. A, Graefe, A. R., & Mowen, A. J. (February 2020). Understanding access and use of parks and recreation through the multiple hierarchy stratification perspective. Research session to be presented at the 2020 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching, Champaign-Urbana, IL.
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Pitas, N. A., & Mowen, A., Graefe, A. R., & Godbey, G. C. (April 2019). Parks for who? Access to, use of, and perceived benefits from local park and recreation services between 1992 and 2015. Research session presented at the 2019 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Gage, R., Murray, A., Ferguson, M. D., Pitas, N. A., & Ferguson, L. A. (April 2019). Navigating the transition from graduate student to professional in today’s recreation and tourism field. Roundtable session presented at the 2019 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Pitas, N. A., & Mowen, A. (February 2019). Place, the social environment, and self-reported health at a community wellness center. Research session presented at the 2019 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching, Greenville, SC.
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Powers, S., Pitas, N. A., Barrett, A., Graefe, A., & Mowen, A. (February 2019). Comparing the contributions of park and recreation services to solving community issues in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Research session presented at the 2019 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching, Greenville, SC.
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Pitas, N. A., Mueller, T. J., & Mowen, A. (April 2018). Cognitive antecedents to support for public and private delivery of park and recreation services. Paper presented at the 2018 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Pitas, N. A., Barrett, A., Mowen, A., & Taff, B. (February 2018). State government parks and recreation expenditures and employment. Research session presented at the 2018 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching, Indianapolis, IN.
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Mowen, A., Pitas, N. A., Mullenbach, L., Hickerson, B., Baker, B., Kim, J., & Benfield, J. (February 2018). Voices from the community: Residents' perspectives of an urban park renovation project. Research session presented at the 2018 TALS Conference on Research and Teaching, Indianapolis, IN.
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Barrett, A., Mowen, A., & Pitas, N. A. (May 2017). Trends in local park and recreation agency financing and employment. Research presentation to the board of directions, National Recreation and Park Association, Austin, TX.
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Pitas, N. A. & Mowen, A. (April 2017). Values, attitudes, and relative allocations to public park and recreation services. Paper presented at the 2017 National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Pitas, N. A. Barrett, A., & Mowen, A. (February 2017). Contemporary trends in local park and recreation agency financing and employment. Research session presented at the 2017 Academy of Leisure Sciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN.
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Mowen, A., Benfield, J., Hickerson, B., Baker, B., Kim, J., & Pitas, N. A. (February 2017). Promoting park ownership and experiences: The role of the social environment. Research session presented at the 2017 Academy of Leisure Sciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN.
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Pitas, N. A. Murray, A., Olsen, M., & Graefe, A. (June 2016). Evaluating recreation-based experiential learning programs: An alternative importance-performance framework. Paper presented at the 2016 International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, Houghton, MI.
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Pitas, N. A. & Hodge, C. (April 2016). Leisure repertoire and the transition from high school to college: A systematic review. Paper presented at the 2016 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A., Trauntvein, N., Potwarka, L., & Duray, N. (April 2016). Shifting perceptions of corporate sponsorship at a public-sector park agency: Results from a 14-year follow-up survey. Paper presented at the 2016 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Murray, A., Pitas, N. A., & Graefe, A. (February 2016). Incorporating a research agenda within an experiential learning course: Lessons learned. Teaching/research presentation presented at the 2016 ALS Teaching Institute, Greenville, NC.
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Pitas, N. A., Mowen, A., Liechty, T., Trauntvein, N. (April 2015). Public attitudes towards corporate sponsorship of a public park agency: A qualitative inquiry. Paper presented at the 2015 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Pitas, N. A., & Mowen, A. (April 2015). Preparing the parent-coach: Communication strategies for parents coaching their own children. Poster presented at the 2015 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD.
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Pitas, N. A., & Mowen, A. (March 2015). Preparing the parent-coach: Communication strategies for parents coaching their own children. Poster presented at the 2015 College of Health and Human Development and School of Nursing Interdisciplinary Research Forum, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.