Research

 

State Park Visitor Survey

As part of their efforts to better understand the outdoor recreation, education, and conservation needs of their constituents, DCNR Bureau of State Parks worked with the 2009‐2013 Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Planning team to commission a visitor survey. This survey provided up‐to‐date information on summer State Park visitor and visitation characteristics, visitor evaluation of services/amenities and managerial preferences, program participation, and conservation behaviors.

 

Trail Gap Survey

The trail gap analysis study was intended to be the first step in a long-term process shedding new light on gaps in the statewide trail network and revealing attitudes that will help shape trail building strategies and funding policies over the next five years or more.

 

Resident Survey

As part of the 2009 Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and The Pennsylvania State University worked together to conduct research on the opinions and outdoor recreation patterns of Pennsylvanians.  The purpose of
this research is to understand outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, including the use of public recreation lands/facilities and the directions Pennsylvanians want
the state to go regarding future recreation land conservation, facility development and management.
 
More than 12,000 surveys were mailed to a random sample of citizens that represent all Pennsylvanians.  Answers are being used to develop the plan that helps identify emerging recreation issues and capital investments in state and local park and recreation facilities.
 
In the survey people were asked how often they participate in outdoor activities and why, what types of activities and where, the quality of the facilities and opportunities available to them nearby and some of their attitudes related to public recreation, conservation and open space.   The attached PDF provides a summary of the responses received from over 2,500 residents who responded to the survey.  These responses are being used to help direct the future work and outdoor recreation priorities of the Commonwealth.”

 

Focus Groups

The following report describes the purpose, design, structure, and findings of a series of facilitated discussions held during late summer early fall 2008 with youth and boomer population groups. The findings are organized around strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats which emerged in our discussions. These findings are identified for each group separately. Finally, we provide summary information on these groups and an overall summary as a conclusion.