Research to Support the 2011 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
Walter Kuentzel Lisa Chase William Valliere Monica Derrien
Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources and UVM Extension University of Vermont
Method: Outdoor Recreation Demand
Mailed Questionnaire • • • • •
Stratified Random Sample of 2000 VT Residents 5-Contact Protocol 47% Response Nonresponse follow-up Weighted Sample
• Participation in 68 Activities • Evaluation of 33 Facilities
Method: Outdoor Recreation Supply Online Survey • Municipality Survey • VRPA, Recreation Committee, Town Clerk • 56.5% Response • Town Plans (82 – 33.3%) • No Information - 34 Towns (3.6% population) • Regional & Statewide Recreation Organizations • 38 Completed Questionnaires • 78% Response
• Inventory of 37 Facilities • Priorities for Facility Development
Participation Demand Activity
Number of Participants % of VT Population
Walking
267,356
42.7
Hiking
212,385
33.9
Snowshoeing
153,429
24.5
Bicycling
140,084
22.4
Canoeing
119,438
19.1
XC Skiing
74,543
11.9
Snowmobiling
70,663
11.3
ATV
68,796
11.0
Mountain Biking
48,737
7.8
Motorcycles
34,066
5.4
Backpacking
29,496
4.7
OHV
26,280
4.2
Horseback Riding
16,248
2.6
Participation Frequency Activity
Number of Participants
Average Annual Days
Walking
267,356
167.9
Bicycling
140,084
33.2
Hiking
212,385
19.6
ATV
68,796
35.4
Snowshoeing
153,429
15.2
Snowmobiling
70,663
24.6
Mountain Biking
48,737
28.1
XC Skiing
74,543
15.5
Canoeing
119,438
9.5
Motorcycles
34,066
24.5
OHV
26,280
15.1
Backpacking
29,496
4.7
Horseback Riding
16,248
21.2
Quality of Facilities
Facility Hiking Trails XC Ski/Snowshoe Trails Fitness/Bicycle Paths Snowmobile Trails OHV/ATV trails & roads
% Who Used
Meets My Needs (mean*)
60.9 39.1 49.7
3.5 3.3 3.1
23.9 19.0
3.2 2.2
*- 1=No, not at all, 2=No, not much, 3=Yes, somewhat, 4=Yes, definitely
Outdoor Recreation Supply
Facility (Miles) Hiking trails Bike/pedestrian trails Class 2 Bike lanes Horse/hiking trails XC skiing/snowshoeing trails OHV/ATV trails/roads Snowmobile trails, groomed
Municipalities*
Organizations**
351 211 22 72 281 21 122
607 951 25 26 1248 765 4788
* - There is likely some double counting between municipalities and organizations. ** - There is likely some double counting among organizations who share trails.
Municipal Priorities Facility Parks/Open Spaces Bike/pedestrian Trails Hiking Trails XC Ski, Snowshoeing Trails Class 2 Bike Lanes Horse Riding Trails Snowmobile Trails, Groomed OHV/ATV trails/roads
Priority Scale 30.3 28.8 23.0 13.7 11.5 8.6 5.7 2.2
* Priority scale = Proportion of respondents times the percent who responded 4 or 5 on the five point scale (1=Low and 5=High),
Questions or Comments?