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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUNY Cortland Town of Ithaca Recreation Survey Presentation 2012Town of Ithaca Parks and Trails Needs Assessment Conducted by the SUNY Cortland Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department Evaluators Michael Augustyn Eric Bacon Raena Blumenthal Amber Busby-Luettger Jacob Calhoun Daniel Caputo Elijah Cooper James Cunningham Richard Esposito May Faulk Sean Gibbons Heather Hill Lauryn Kaznowski Tyler Merriam Caitlin Pohl Nicholas Prechel Dana Roberts Daniel Schiavo Kathryn Ward Katherine Wryk Kendra Liddicoat Literature Review Five areas of the literature were examined: Demographics Motivations Constraints Current Trends Aquatic Themes Literature Review Town of Ithaca Demographics Total population 19,930 in 2010 25.7% between the age of 5 and 19 16.7% between the age of 20 and 24 31.3% between the age of 25 and 55 22.3% over the age of 55 79.9% of the population is Caucasian (U.S. Census Bureau 2010) Literature Review Aquatic Themes While assessing the recreational needs for the Town of Ithaca residents, it is important to look at aquatic themes. Swimming and other aquatic activities are popular amongst a great number of people. While these activities are enjoyable, there are certain risks and repercussions that accompany them (Kinzelman & McLellan, 2009), (Orr & Pickens, 2003), (McCool, Ameratunga, Morgan, & Robinson, 2009) Trends The trends discussed for this study include recreation and aquatic activities, outdoor adventure education, sports facilities, and the Town of Yarmouth, MA, which has attributes similar to those of Ithaca, NY (Woodward, 1998), (Attarian, 2002), (Agency Spotlight, 2011). Literature Review Motivations It was concluded that citizens hold parks and recreation in high regard but are generally reluctant to take part in their management (Crosby, 2008). Also a trend in healthier lifestyles has more people visiting parks and trails for exercise (Crosby, 2008). Constraints Time was the biggest constraint for many people. Lack of available parks to visit. Overcrowding (Stanis, 2009) Methods Survey Development •Literature Review •Consulted with Rich DePaolo, Tee-Ann Hunter and Herb Engman to develop, revise and review survey •Final survey: 32 close- and open-ended questions •Submitted to SUNY Cortland IRB and granted approval Methods Sampling •Target population: Town of Ithaca residences •Town of Ithaca randomly selected 1,070 residences from a database containing 4,000 residences, to receive a mail survey •Second mailing with a stamped return envelope and reminder note •Received 336 usable surveys for analysis (response rate = 34%) Methods Data Analysis •Quantitative data •SPSS •Qualitative data •Categories and themes Town of Ithaca Map Sample Demographics Age Range 321 Valid Responses Age ranges 50-59 and 60- 69 were highest respondents Lowest ranges were 18-29 and 90+ Survey results are NOT an accurate representation of the population of the Town of Ithaca AGE FR E Q U E N C Y People Represented by Age Group Age Percent 18 and under 17% 19 and over 83% What best describes your current employment status? *A majority of survey takers replied that they were employed full time * 97% of respondents were not students. Length of Time Lived in Ithaca •15.5% Have lived in Ithaca for less than 10 years •84.5% Have been residence for 11 or more years. •62% Reported living in Ithaca for 20 or more years. Rent or Own? 95.5% Nearly all respondents own their homes. Areas of Ithaca Northeast/Forest Home (and Cayuga Heights) were the most strongly represented in the sample, but we received surveys from residents of all areas. Sample vs. Population Study did not effectively capture views of students, young professionals, and families with children. Respondents were predominantly long-time residents who owned their homes. o Have greater investment in the community. o Will likely continue to reside in the Town. o Have insights based on years of experience with Ithaca parks, trails, and recreation programs. Results http://www.frontiernet.net/~ithacaisgorges/ How often do you visit Town of Ithaca parks? Season Daily Weekly Monthly Never Winter 27 45 76 139 Spring 39 95 80 84 Summer 49 113 71 68 Fall 36 98 82 80 How often do you visit City of Ithaca parks? Season Daily Weekly Monthly Never Winter 4 26 74 171 Spring 8 61 98 115 Summer 20 91 99 85 Fall 8 68 100 108 Have you visited to City of Ithaca parks in the past year Cass Park Stewart Park 75 260 58 277 Use of Town and City Facilities Residents visit parks most frequently in the summer. Residents visit parks least frequently in the winter. Town parks and trail are visited frequently by more people in all seasons than City parks. The majority of Town residents do visit City parks at some point during the year. Frequency of Visits to Local State Parks and Forests Park/State Forest Number of times reported Robert H. Treman State Park 164 Taughannock Falls State Park 164 Buttermilk Falls State Park 161 Hammond Hill State Forest 18 Alan H. Treman State Marine Park 11 Shindagin Hollow State Forest 11 Danby State Forest 8 Watkins Glen State Park 7 Yellow Barn State Forest 7 Myers Point 6 Connecticut Hill 6 Finger Lakes Trails 5 Finger Lakes Forest Hector 5 Use of College Recreation Facilities 32 % 68 % Use of Ithaca City School Facilities 13.7 % 86.3 % How are Town of Ithaca Parks and Trails Used? Park/Trail Use Type Frequency Walking 259 Picnicking 80 Biking 70 Running 54 Winter Sports 41 Other 40 Commuting 22 Team Sports 10 Results: The three most frequent uses of parks and trails in the Town of Ithaca are walking, picnicking, and biking. Walking was by far the most frequently chosen response for use type, with 259 respondents saying they use the parks/trail for walking. Running came in as a close fourth for frequency of use. Participation in an Ithaca Youth Bureau Program within the last year Most respondents had not used IYB programs. Adequate Lake Access? The majority of respondents feel as though their lake access is adequate for their recreation purposes. 33.2% 68% Importance of New Recreational Facility and Program Offerings Mean (out of 5) Standard Deviation Build new recreation facilities for specific activities (such as pools or tennis courts). 2.49 1.15 Provide additional spaces for unstructured outdoor recreation (such as trails). 3.06 1.31 Provide new programs for youth. 3.27 1.18 Provide new programs for adults. 2.90 1.06 Provide new programs for seniors. 3.06 1.14 1=Not Important at all 2=Not Important 3=Neutral 4= Important 5= Very Important Importance of New Recreational Facility and Program Offerings Not at all important Very important Additional Recreation Activities Desired Activity Number of People Comments Walking 17 Walking trails, especially along lake. Biking 11 Used for rollerblading as well. XC Skiing 6 Groomed trails were also mentioned. Hiking 5 Used for snowshoeing as well. Bike Commuting 4 If better connection trails existed and more bike lanes were painted on road. Indoor Track 4 For running and walking during winter. Horseback Riding 3 Trails specifically for this activity in a natural setting. Bird Watching 2 Mostly along a nature trail. Trails Additional Recreation Activities Desired Water Activities Activity Number of People Comments Canoe/Kayak 7 Better access to Cayuga Lake. Sailing 5 Better access to Cayuga Lake. General Boating 2 Paddleboating was also mentioned. General Swimming 9 Nothing specific mentioned. Lake Swimming 6 Nothing specific mentioned. Pool Swimming 6 With swim time separate from children. Indoor Pool 4 For swimming during the winter. Additional Recreation Activities Desired Activity Number of People Comments Enough 8 Programs and facilities are sufficient to meet their needs. Tennis 7 Improve and add courts, 1 mention of racquetball. Dog Park 4 Or dog accommodations along walking trails. Park For Picnics 4 Especially for the senior population. Golf 4 1 indoor driving range, 1 outdoor course, 2 outdoor driving ranges. Programs For Children 3 Not sufficient programs in town or at school. Basketball Courts Fishing 3 3 Neither indoor nor outdoor specified. Stocking fish in a pond. Miscellaneous Desired Improvements in Parks, Recreation Facilities and Trails Improvements on Parks, Recreation Facilities and Trails Residents in the Town of Ithaca seemed much more concerned with adding or connecting trails than they did with other facilities in Ithaca. Residents also made it clear that they would like to see better maintenance of trails and parks Best Method for Receiving Information Getting information from the Town of Ithaca’s website is more popular than getting information through e-mail, newspaper, radio and word of mouth combined. How important are recreation and leisure to quality of life? During a typical week, how much physical activity do you get? CDC Recommended Personal Benefits Gained from Visiting Town of Ithaca Parks and Trails •A majority of people answered exercise and physical health benefits. Examples given included: biking, walking, hiking. •The second most popular answer was being in nature and in natural settings. These settings provide a sense of relaxation and peace. •The third most frequently given answer dealt with the benefits of mental health and sense of well-being. •The forth most common answer was being around people from the community; whether friends, family or meeting new people. “It makes a huge difference to my life and health. And when I am recruiting people to come to Cornell, whether faculty or students, I always make Ithaca’s outdoor opportunities part of the pitch.” “Exercise helps me to be spiritually, mentally and physically healthy. Being in the woods or out on Cayuga Lake is like a mini vacation without leaving town.” Limitations to Participation Limitations Not At All Somewhat A Lot Money 186 77 19 Time 69 118 106 Transportation 238 36 10 Physical/Mental Health 223 51 16 Inaccessible Facilities 231 34 13 Not Feeling Welcome 259 12 5 No One to Participate With 186 85 12 Limitations to Participation Continued Limitations Not At All Somewhat A Lot Lack of Information 133 119 26 Lack of Skill 209 64 8 Concerns About Safety 217 52 13 Lack of Appropriate Recreational Facilities 204 65 11 Distance 191 75 13 Other 59 9 7 How much more would you be willing to pay in local taxes? Donating and Volunteering More residents would be willing to donate money to support local recreation projects than those who would not be willing to donate money. More residents would not be willing to volunteer their time to pick up garbage or perform maintenance along trails than those who would be willing. Recreational Needs Being Met F r e q u e n c y 6 18 59 148 77 0 1 2 3 4 5 3.88 = Mean (average score) Results: In response to the public being asked if they believed their recreation needs were being met, an overwhelming majority (225) responded that they agree or strongly agree. When looking at the mean (average) of the data set, it can be seen that the average response falls between agree and strongly agree. Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusions Time was cited as a common constraint to participation in recreation. Matches literature. Reinforces the importance of keeping parks and trails open and offering programs at a variety of times. Lack of time may also have biased who responded to our survey. Respondents requested better maintenance of parks and trails and some were willing to volunteer to pick up trash. Conclusions Residents need better access to information about parks and trails. Some thanked us for the map and expressed surprise that the parks and trails existed. Most respondents preferred to access information via the website, a percentage that would likely be higher if more students, younger residents, or short-term residents had responded. Conclusions Ithaca residents place a high value on recreation! Ithaca residents are active and many visit Town and City parks and trails weekly. Walking, biking, running, and picnicking were popular activities and residents would like more trails or more connected trails. Many respondents were willing to pay more in taxes or donate money for parks and trails. Conclusions Overall, respondents are satisfied with the Town's current parks, trails and recreation programs! Recommendations Trails •Connect •Biking & hiking options Encourage winter use, possibly through indoor programs or facilities Improve availability of information Recommendations Increase signage or education promoting a carry-in, carry-out policy or improve trail maintenance. Expand swimming & boating opportunities. Increase youth programming or participation in current Ithaca Youth Bureau programs. Future Studies Assess the needs of college students and younger residents, especially families. Study current lake use and accessibility. Assess Ithaca residents’ social, cultural, and indoor recreation needs and preferences. References Attarian, A. (2002). Trends in outdoor adventure education. Association of Outdoor Recreation & Education Conference Proceedings, 28-39. Crosby, J. (2008). Parks and recreation: The value proposition. Parks & Recreation, 43(10), 62. Kinzelman, J. L., & McLellan, S. L. (2009). Success of science-based best management practices in reducing swimming bans—a case study from Racine, Wisconsin, USA. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 12(2), 187-196. doi:10.1080/14634980902907466 McCool, J. J., Ameratunga, S. S., Moran, K. K., & Robinson, E. E. (2009). Taking a risk perception approach to improving beach swimming safety. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 16(4), 360-366. Orr, B. D., Pickens, J. B., & Chow-Fraser, P. (2003). Public access to Lake Superior and attribute values of proximate non-shoreline property. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 29(4), 616-629. Stanis, S. C. (2009). Leisure time physical activity of park visitors: Retesting constraint models in adoption and maintenance stages. Leisure Sciences, 31(3), 287-304. Town of Yarmouth Parks and Recreation Department. (2011). Parks & Recreation, 46(1), 8. U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Profile of general population and housing Characteristics: 2010 demographic profile data. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=D EC10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table Woodward, B. (1998). What's hot and why. (1998). Inc, 20(10), 22. Thank you! Questions?