Gateway Community Relationships with A US National Park: A Qualitative Exploration of Community Member, Concessioner and Grand Teton National Park Staff Perspectives

In the mid-1900s, park and protected area (PPA) management agencies began to acknowledge the environmental, socioeconomic and cultural connections that existed between PPAs and gateway communities. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the effects of shifts in the perspectives of PPA managers, concessioners and gateway community members who work and live in the vicinity of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). We conducted interviews with 21 park staff, concessions staff and gateway community leaders. Data revealed 15 themes organized into four categories: (a) types of relationships that exist between the community and park; (b) characteristics that describe these relationships; (c) foundations for collaboration; and (d) barriers to collaboration. This research provides insight into the effects of PPA management approaches that are alternative relative to traditional PPA strategies. Additionally, we provide a broader conversation on the state of PPA policy regarding engagement and collaboration with gateway communities.