Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2021–2025
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ILLINOIS Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2021–2025 State of Illinois Illinois Department of Natural Resources To manage, conserve and protect Illinois' natural, recreational and cultural resources, further the public's understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education, science and public safety of Illinois' natural resources for present and future generations. ii | Illinois SCORP 2021–2025 ILLINOIS SCORP ILLINOIS Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2021–2025 Illinois SCORP 2021–2025 | iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document was prepared by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Oce of Realty and Capital Planning and Division of Grant Administration. Special thanks go to all Illinois DNR sta members who contributed to the plan preparation and review. Director Bob Appleman and Erick Huck, Division Manager of Statewide Operations, provided valuable support and contributions to the SCORP. We also appreciate the contributions of Nathan Grider, Manager of Impact Assessment in the Oce of Realty, Capital Planning and Grants, Kathy Barker, Senior Grant Administrator, Lisa Cotner, Illinois DNR Chief Accountability Ocer, and Valerie Keener, Head of the Illinois DNR Division of Education. The 2021 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is the result of Illinois’ ongoing outdoor recreation planning program. The input and assistance of park and recreation agencies and individual citizens to the content of the SCORP is greatly appreciated. Many thanks to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Oce of Recreation and Park Resources. They directed data collection and analysis for the Illinois Facility Park Lands Inventory Survey and the Statewide Resident Outdoor Recreation Survey. The findings from these research studies contributed immeasurably to the SCORP. Thank you to the 200+ local park and recreation agencies that provided information about their facilities as part of the statewide inventory. Resident input into the SCORP is vitally important and we are grateful for the thousands of Illinois citizens who responded to surveys and provided feedback about the outdoor recreation activities they enjoy. Many thanks to the Champaign Park District and Wauconda Park District for the photos they provided to enhance the SCORP. Finally, many thanks to Jessie Scheunemann, owner and graphic designer at Jessie Marie Studio, LLC, for providing design and layout for the SCORP final document. Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other no-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights oce and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Ocer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. This information may be provided in an alternative format if required. Contact the IDNR at 217/782-6302 for assistance. Photos used in this document are from the IDNR collection unless noted below. Photos from the Jessie Marie Studio, LLC collection, pages 6, 7, 9, 10, 27, 37, 42, 43, 44, and 50; Photo by Humphrey Muleba from Pexels, page 20; Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash, page 25; Photo by Michał from Pexels, page 28; Photo by Marta Wave from Pexels, page 32; Photo by Philip Ackermann from Pexels, page 33; Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels, page 34. iv | Illinois SCORP 2021–2025 ILLINOIS TABLE OF CONTENTS SCORP E Executive Summary ....................................................1 1 Introduction ...............................................................3 2 Illinois’ Natural Resources and Demographics ...........7 3 Recreation Supply Survey Findings ...........................13 4 2020 Illinois Outdoor Recreation Demand ..............19 5 Priorities Areas .........................................................35 6 Plan Implementation ................................................49 R References ................................................................55 Table of Contents | v From one-of a kind blus such as the Garden Illinois SCORP of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest to steep sandstone canyons and awe-inspiring waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park, Illinois EXECUTIVE the “Prairie State” is host to a tremendous amount of natural diversity and heritage. Illinois’ 2021-2025 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor SUMMARY Recreation Plan (SCORP) provides aid for recreation professionals in planning the protection, development, and acquisition of additional natural resources. It also guides stewardship of ILLINOIS Illinois while simultaneously providing outdoor SCORP recreational opportunities to millions of Illinoisans per year. The Illinois SCORP is developed every five years to evaluate the outdoor recreation needs of Illinois residents while considering the state’s natural resources, recreational lands and facilities, and evaluating economic impacts to outdoor recreation in Illinois (such as COVID-19 pandemic challenges). This plan also provides an analysis of demographic characteristics of Illinois residents, analyzes outdoor recreation supply and demand through surveys of recreation providers and residents throughout the state in 2020, and suggests recommendations and implementation strategies to further develop outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois. 1 | Illinois SCORP 2021–2025 amenity. The provider survey showed that agencies SURVEY FINDINGS with a trail development plan constructed, on A 2020 survey of 2,700 Illinois residents shows average, almost six times more miles of trails the value that Illinoisans place on their outdoor than agencies without a trail development recreation resources. Eighty-three percent of plan. The top funding priorities for agencies respondents indicated that outdoor recreation related to facilities and programs were inclusive plays an important role in their lives. Walking was programming and Americans with Disabilities the most important outdoor recreation activity Act (ADA) accessibility. For outdoor recreation both in terms of importance and conservation, the top (over 90% of respondents funding priority for agencies was participated in this activity) maintaining existing parks, followed and participation rates by environmental and conservation (median=25 times per year). Walking“ was the programs, and, lastly, the Other outdoor activities most important development and/or improvement deemed important and outdoor activity... of existing natural areas and other frequently participated in were open spaces. running/jogging and bicycling (on roads and on trails) -- aligning with the strong PRIORITIES preference for investment in trail maintenance and The provider and resident survey findings, development among respondents. These outdoor outdoor recreation and demographic trends, recreation activities were largely engaged at, or the current Illinois DNR Wetlands Campaign, near, one’s residence (65.2%). Primary motivations and the previous SCORP inform the development for participation in outdoor recreation activities of the priorities for the 2021 SCORP. The 2021 were to have fun, exercise and keep healthy, spend Illinois SCORP outlines four priority areas to time with friends and family, and to experience further meet the recreational needs of Illinoisans. nature. Ninety percent of respondents indicated Key themes have been identified within each of that outdoor recreation resources are important to these broad categories and primary challenges health and wellness, and 84.6% believed outdoor and opportunities are examined. The priority recreation areas and facilities are important to areas include: quality of life and the economic development of their community. Among residents, conservation • Improving Health and Wellness initiatives were also widely supported. Almost 80% of respondents indicated they want to see • Access to Parks and Recreation more wildlife protected and 77.7% would like to • Natural Resources and Conservation see more natural areas, particularly undisturbed Management prairies, forests, and wetlands being acquired and protected. • Funding and Economic Development Additionally, in 2020, a total of 204 Illinois The recommendations and actions found in this parks and recreation agencies also completed plan will guide recreation providers in ways to a provider survey. Consistent with the values meet the ever-changing needs of their communities, reported by Illinois respondents in the resident protect Illinois’ natural resources, deal with surveys, providers reported that their residents economic challenges, and promote economic deemed trails as the most important recreational development within their community. Executive Summary | 2 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chapter 1 The 2021 Illinois Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) represents a vision that resulted from an assessment of Illinois’ INTRODUCTION outdoor recreation resources and needs. Each year, millions of people enjoy Illinois’ outdoor recreation sites and facilities, necessitating the continued acquisition, development, and ILLINOIS maintenance of outdoor recreation lands and SCORP facilities needed to meet public demand. In fact, acquisition, development, and maintenance of open spaces play a pivotal role in helping to meet the needs of the public as visitation rates at Illinois outdoor recreation sites and facilities continue