How the Winter Olympics enrich community legacies for recreational open space: A case study of selected European and American Olympic sites

The Olympics have been a catalyst through the last century for community alteration including both the renovation of existing areas and building of new sites. This study focuses on the post-Olympic use of active and passive recreational open space infrastructure developed by Winter Olympic host cities.; This study examines four Winter Olympics. The observation of a variety of Olympic venues has provided an opportunity to compare the differences in planning due to historical, cultural, and social variables. The comparison of these Olympic sites contributes to understanding of the probability of success or failure of post game expectations for recreational open space use. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Winter Olympics on the recreational open space infrastructure of host communities. Future Olympic sites can utilize these experiences as part of a planning effort to create a successful community recreational open space legacy.