2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study
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Root River State Trail 2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study JULY 2020 Prepared by: Maria Robinson, Jacob Wascalus, and Edith Gozali-Lee Acknowledgements Many staff at the Department of Natural Resources were involved in guiding and implementing this study. Special thanks to the following individuals for completing interviews over the summer: Hannah DeNure, Amy Graves, Margaret Krueger, Thomas Marx, Darin Newman, and Josephine Pickar. Trail use estimates are the culmination of years of work and coordination among partners in Minnesota. Many individuals and organizations were involved in collecting data on state trails. Michael Petesch and Ian Vaagenes at the Department of Transportation, Dr. Greg Lindsey of the University of Minnesota, Andrew Oftedal at Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, and Charlie Moore from Arrowhead Regional Development Commission contributed significant time to this project and provided critical guidance over the past several years. Wilder Research extends our thanks to Darin Newman and other DNR staff who provided information for the methodology overview, wrote the state trail usage section, and provided helpful feedback on the report. Wilder Research staff who contributed to this report include: Anna Alba, Walker Bosch, Marilyn Conrad, Phil Cooper, Amanda Eggers, Heather Loch, Nicole MartinRogers, Julia Miller, and Dan Swanson. 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157 mndnr.gov The Minnesota DNR prohibits discrimination in its programs and services based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, disability, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation, and local human rights commission activity. Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to access or participate in DNR programs and services please contact the DNR ADA Title II Coordinator at [email protected], 651-296-6157. For TTY/TDD communication, contact us through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 or 800-627-3529. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by contacting [email protected], 651- 296-6157. For TTY/TDD communication, contact us through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 or 800-627-3529. ©2020 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources Printed on recycled paper containing a minimum of 10 percent post-consumer waste and vegetable-based ink. 2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................1 Minnesota state trail system ..................................................................................................................................2 Methodology overview ..........................................................................................................................................3 Survey findings ...........................................................................................................................................................6 Characteristics of state trail visitors .......................................................................................................................6 State trail trip ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 Satisfaction with the trails ................................................................................................................................... 21 Investment and funding ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Wilder Research recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 32 Appendix .................................................................................................................................................................. 33 Individual comments on ways to improve Minnesota trails ............................................................................... 33 Additional information ........................................................................................................................................ 37 State trail usage ....................................................................................................................................................... 41 Automated trail count methods .......................................................................................................................... 41 How many people use state trails? ..................................................................................................................... 42 Which trails do people use? ................................................................................................................................ 43 When do people use trails? ................................................................................................................................. 45 2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study Introduction The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division (DNR) is committed to better understanding and enhancing visitors’ outdoor recreation experiences. To that end, the DNR conducted a trail intercept survey in summer 2019 to gather information from and about state trail visitors, including their demographics, activities, frequency of usage, barriers, motivations, satisfaction, and opinions about trail management and funding. This report presents findings from that survey. In 2015, the DNR developed a system plan to findings focused on the state trail system. In 2017, advance new approaches for managing the DNR's the DNR conducted a survey of Minnesota state parks state parks and recreation areas, forest recreation visitors, and the DNR plans to study the forest areas, water recreation system, and state trails. This recreation areas and the water recreation system in plan helps guide strategic investment decisions the years to come. according to five principles: invest limited resources strategically, protect and interpret natural and cultural The DNR has been conducting state trail surveys since resources, inspire the next generation of stewards, the 1990s. These previous studies examined visitors’ promote tourism, and contribute to Minnesota’s experiences at one or two trails at a time. This 2019 quality of life. study was larger in scope and represents opinions of summer visitors to 640 miles of paved and hardened To ensure the plan is carried out in accordance with surface state trails. the guiding principles and to support the overall system, the DNR is conducting a series of research The DNR contracted with Wilder Research to analyze projects across these systems. This report shares the the survey data and prepare this report. 2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study 1 Minnesota state trail system Figure 1. Primary and Secondary State Trail Corridors1 State trails included in the survey2 Primary corridors • Brown’s Creek • Cuyuna Lakes • Douglas • Gateway • Gitchi-Gami • Glacial Lakes • Goodhue-Pioneer • Harmony-Preston Valley • Heartland • Mill Towns • Minnesota Valley • Paul Bunyan • Root River • Sakatah Singing Hills • Willard Munger Secondary corridors • Alex Laveau • Blazing Star • Casey Jones • Central Lakes • Great River Ridge • Luce Line • Shooting Star “DNR trails are a great resource for Minnesotans. Doing a great job!” – Gateway visitor “The state trails are an asset to Minnesota.” – Paul Bunyan visitor 1 Map of all Minnesota State Trails 2 The primary and secondary corridors guide DNR investment priorities for the state trail system. The DNR applies differentiated guidance to primary and secondary corridors on topics including new development, rehabilitation, maintenance, trailhead amenities, and how partners can best support state trails. The survey covered non-motorized, summer visitors. Natural-surface trails, motorized trails, and some small and remote trails were excluded from the survey project. The map includes all state trails, but not all state trails were surveyed. 2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study 2 Survey Crew on the Heartland State Trail Methodology overview The 2019 Minnesota State Trail Visitor Study presents findings from a DNR-designed and -administered survey. The survey was developed to study activity on non-motorized and summer-use trails in Minnesota. The survey did not include trails used only in the winter or trails used predominantly for motorized recreation. Motorized recreation surveys, for example, have been conducted through surveys of registered vehicle owners rather than through intercept surveys. In total, 2,973 visitors were intercepted on the trail and invited to participate in the survey; 1,561 visitors (53%) completed the initial survey and 1,412 visitors (47%) declined or were not eligible to participate. Of the 1,561 visitors who completed the initial survey, 841 visitors (54%) completed the follow-up survey. The follow-up survey asked more detailed questions about state trail experiences, including certain aspects of state trails and opinions about funding and trail passes. The follow-up survey respondents were similar in their demographic