New roots, New Routes: Exploring Immigrant Experiences on Trails
Posted on Thursday, November 7th, 2024
This project is a research study conducted by ‘Trailbenders’, a team of four student researchers with the Human-Centered Design Lab at Algonquin College, in collaboration with Sentiers Wakefield Trails (SWT). This research addresses the experiences and motivations of recent immigrants in the Ottawa/Gatineau and Wakefield regions regarding the use of local trails. As a not-for-profit organization, SWT faces hurdles related to resource limitations and inclusivity in trail use, providing a unique opportunity to understand how trails can better serve diverse communities.
Through an extensive mixed-method research, including a survey and interviews with relevant participants and subject matter experts, we explored insights into how newcomers perceive and experience trails, their motivations for exploring these spaces, and their expectations for improvement. The project seeks to answer the key question: How do recent immigrants residing in the Ottawa-Gatineau and Wakefield region view and experience trails, and what can be done to make these trails more inclusive?
Our research focused on developing solutions that enhance trail inclusivity by addressing the unique needs of new immigrant users. By understanding the barriers they face, we aim to foster stronger connections between newcomers and the local community through outdoor recreation, ultimately making trails more accessible and enjoyable for all.
The long-term vision for this project is to support SWT in creating more inclusive recreational practices that cater to the needs of diverse populations. This will not only help build a stronger sense of belonging for immigrants but also benefit the broader community by enhancing trail experiences for everyone.
Throughout this project, we gained valuable insights into collaborative design and research work, utilizing tools such as Google Docs, Zcal, Google Forms, and Zoom for effective teamwork and communication. The project emphasized attention to detail, empathy, inclusion , responsiveness to participant feedback, and the importance of maintaining clear communication channels within the team.