Tree Shade Preferred by Recreational Users of a Brazilian Beach Sidewalk

Barbecuing near the beach is a well-established leisure activity during weekends and holidays for many people in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A daily nonstimulated census composed of personal interviews conducted along the beach of Mangaratiba was undertaken during school vacations in summer (January and February) and winter (July) of 1994 and 1995. A total of 955 interviews were completed. On average, each group of barbecuers consisted of 3 adults and 2 children (up to 12 years old). Ninety-five percent of the barbecues took place on weekends and holidays. The responses suggested that 85% of the groups prefer to be under shade trees, even during the winter months. Reasons offered for this preference are temperature amelioration (80%), privacy (65%), security (45%), and isolation (30%). On average, a barbecue lasts 6.1 hours.