The Chenango, Delaware, Susquehanna and Tioughnioga Rivers:

A Citizen Survey for Vestal’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

November 2011

Prepared by JoAnn Lindstrom, MPA Center for Applied Community Research & Development P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton, NY 13902 LWRP Grant – Town of Vestal – 2011 Survey Results

Introduction

In 2009 the Town of Vestal, in cooperation with 22 regional municipalities and Broome County, received a State Environmental Assistance Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Project (LWRP) grant. In March 2010 the town approached the Center for Applied Community Research & Development for assistance with the citizen input portion of a project being managed by Peter J. Smith & Company of Buffalo, New York, the contracted consulting firm.

Over the next several months the CARCD, in collaboration with the LWRP project partners, designed an online survey to gauge public opinion about development along local waterways. The web-based survey opened on August 2, 2011 and closed on September 11, 2011. Due to the potential for biased responses after Tropical Storm Lee affected Broome and Tioga Counties, seven surveys received after September 7 were omitted from the analysis.

Survey Respondents

254 respondents 91% completion rate

Respondent Profile

Most respondents (66%) were over 41 years of age, the median age of Broome County residents. They have had a formal education, with more than half reporting 4 years or more of college; half earn over $50,000/year. Representation was nearly equal between genders, and 68% reported having no children under 18 at home.

A large majority (82%) of respondents reside in Broome County, 20% of whom live in the Town of Binghamton. Outside of Broome County, Tioga County residents had the greatest response rate at 37%.

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LWRP Grant – Town of Vestal – 2011 Survey Results

Survey Results

Rivers and reservoirs used for recreation 100% 81% 77% 80% 68% 60% 50% 40% 40% 20% 0% Susquehanna Chenango River Whitney Point Delaware River River Reservoir n=254

Rivers and reservoirs used more than six times each year

60% 55% 37% 40% 21% 19% 20% 7% 0% Chenango River Delaware River Whitney Point Tioghnioga River Reservoir n=254

Recreational Activities on the Rivers and Reservoirs

Chenango Delaware Susquehanna Tioughnioga Whitney Point River River River River Reservoir Biking 22% 4% 17% 3% 8% Bank Fishing 22% 19% 26% 11% 21% Boat Fishing 11% 8% 16% 6% 17% Bird Watching 30% 17% 34% 11% 20% Camping 5% 9% 6% 2% NA Canoeing 26% 22% 26% 18% 19% Kayaking 23% 13% 29% 17% 24% Picnicking 21% 7% 18% 6% 33% Swimming 11% 9% 16% 7% 28% Tubing 5% 6% 6% 2% NA Walking 56% 21% 52% 11% 32%

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LWRP Grant – Town of Vestal – 2011 Survey Results

Likely Use of Open Space Improvements 70% 58% 60% 50% 40% 35% 30% 18% 20% 9% 10% 3% 0% Picnic Sites Community Gardens Sports Facilities Disabled Gardens Skateboarding Parks

n=254

Most visited parks Least visited parks Otsiningo Park, Binghamton William Hill Park, Town of Union Port Dickinson Community Park, Port Dickinson Boland Park, Johnson City Binghamton Riverwalk, Binghamton Castle Gardens Park, Vestal

Priorities for River Access Improvements

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% Susquehanna 25% Chenango 20% 15% Delaware 10% Tioughnioga 5% 0% Canoe/Kayak Parking Restroom Fishing Access Boat Launch Disabled Ramp Facilities Access

n=254

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LWRP Grant – Town of Vestal – 2011 Survey Results

Top three choices for river trail improvements 70% 60% 50%

40% Pedestrian Trails 30% Biking Trails 20% Nature Trails 10% 0% n=254 Susquehanna Chenango River Whitney Point Delaware River Tioghnioga River Reservoir River

Most Frequently-Used Walking/Biking Trails

60% 55%

50% 47% 43% 40% 36%

30%

20%

10%

0% Otsiningo Riverwalk Vestal Rail Trail Chenango Riverwalk Susquehanna Riverwalk

n=254

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LWRP Grant – Town of Vestal – 2011 Survey Results

Which of the following environmental improvements are needed at which rivers in the study?

Flood Control Susquehanna 39% Chenango 32% Delaware 18% Tioughnioga 17% Conservatorship/Land Trusts Susquehanna 40% Chenango 39% Delaware 34% Tioughnioga 34% Watershed Management Susquehanna 44% Chenango 40% Delaware 34% Tioughnioga 33% Pollution Reduction Susquehanna 62% Chenango 51% Tioughnioga 37% Delaware 36% Responses to “Other” (not specific to a body of water) Hydrofracking/Water use from gas drilling 4% Sewer discharge 2%

Prioritizing Improvements at Existing Riverfront Parks

Directional Signage 44% Scenic Overlooks 30% Interpretive Signage 26%

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LWRP Grant – Town of Vestal – 2011 Survey Results

What would inhibit you from participating in a river-based activity? 70% 63% 60% 50% 38% 40% 34% 30% 23% 20% 10% 0% Pollution Lack of Parking Risk of Flooding Lack of Signage

Which lakes do you regularly use for recreational purposes?

44% Cayuga

Seneca 18%

9% Quaker

Preferences for Commercial Riverfront Development

70% 65% 60% 54% 50% 40% 30% 30% 18% 20% 10% 3% 2% 2% 0% Restaurants Water-related Water-related Residential No Whitewater Kayak Rental Equipment, and based Living Development Park Instruction & competitions Rentals

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