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Image Placeholder <br />114PARKS , TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />ALAND USE2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE <br />DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />A2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE <br />DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />A2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE A2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE <br />Regional Parks System Visitor Study Report <br />In 2016, the Metropolitan Council administered a survey to regional <br />park and trail visitors to provide benchmark measurement of regional <br />park and trail visitor experiences in terms of: <br />1� Reasons for visiting and activity participation <br />2� Frequency and length of visits <br />3� Travel distances and modes of transportation <br />4� Group sizes <br />5� Quality of facilities, services and recreation opportunities and <br />sense of safety <br />6� Information behavior <br />The report authors surveyed 5,459 people including 389 people from <br />Washington County� <br />Key findings include: <br />1� Hiking, walking and biking are the most popular activities� They <br />are also the most commonly mentioned primary reason for <br />visiting a regional park or trail� <br />2� Visitors are either very loyal to their park or trail, or simply prefer <br />familiar surroundings� <br />3� Few gathered outside information about their destination prior to <br />visiting� <br />4� Overall, visitors are satisfied with facilities and feel safe. <br />5� Age, ethnicity and income have the most noteworthy impacts on <br />usage and experiences� <br />6� Park users are more likely to come in groups and come from <br />longer distances, whereas trail users are more solitary and live <br />nearby� <br />7� Very few were limited by a physical or mental condition� <br />Washington County survey data (Figure 6-1) shows that in addition <br />to hiking, bicycling and jogging, water activities such as swimming <br />and fishing are just as popular. Like the rest of the region, the number <br />one reason people didn’t visit parks as often as they would like is <br />that there is not enough time (Figure 6-2). These findings suggest <br />that more people would like to participate in other activities but <br />they feel constrained by time, cost, or lack of facilities� The City can <br />help minimize these constraints by providing adequate facilities in <br />conveniently accessed locations�0%20%40%60%80% <br />I don’t have enough time <br />[Park/Trail] is too far from my home <br />I have too many family obligations <br />Internet/phone service not available <br />Weather/climate conditions <br />I don’t have enough money <br />I don’t know enough about the [Park/Trail] <br />I have health problems/limitations <br />I have no one to go with <br />Parking is difficult <br />The [Park/Trail] is too crowded <br />Primary Factor Limiting Visits to Parks and Trails, 2016 <br />Washington County(n=30)Total (n=835) <br />Source: Regional Parks System Vistior Study Report <br />0%5%10%15%20%25%30% <br />Hiking/walking <br />Bicycling <br />Jogging/running <br />Swimming <br />Fishing <br />Picnicking <br />Using playground <br />Communting <br />Did nothing/relaxed Socializing <br />Socializing <br />Special event <br />Primary Reason for Visit to Parks in <br />Washington County <br />Washington County(n=389)Total (n=5459) <br />Source: Regional Parks System Vistior Study ReportFigure 6-1 Figure 6-2