Willamette Valley Conservation Study: Nature-based Recreation and Educational Opportunities and Underserved Areas Assessment Prepared for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Region Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants February 2013 WILLAMETTE VALLEY CONSERVATION STUDY: NATURE- BASED RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND UNDERSERVED AREAS ASSESSMENT Prepared for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Region 911 NE 11th Ave Portland, Oregon 97232 503.872.2700 Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 1220 SW Morrison Street, Suite 700 Portland, Oregon 97205 503.224.0333 www.swca.com February 25, 2012 Willamette Valley Conservation Study: Nature-based Recreation and Educational Opportunities and Underserved Areas Assessment CONTENTS 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Methods .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.1. Spatial Mapping and Data Attributes ............................................................................................ 3 2.2. Document Review ......................................................................................................................... 4 3. Existing and Proposed Nature-Based Recreation and Educational Opportunities ....... 5 3.1. Jurisdictions of Existing and Proposed Opportunities .................................................................. 5 3.2. Existing and Proposed Opportunities by County .......................................................................... 8 3.2.1. Benton County .................................................................................................................... 10 3.2.2. Clackamas County .............................................................................................................. 10 3.2.3. Lane County ........................................................................................................................ 11 3.2.4. Linn County ........................................................................................................................ 11 3.2.5. Marion County .................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.6. Multnomah County ............................................................................................................. 12 3.2.7. Polk County ........................................................................................................................ 13 3.2.8. Washington County............................................................................................................. 13 3.2.9. Yamhill County ................................................................................................................... 14 4. Nature-based Recreation Participation .......................................................................... 15 4.1. Benton County ............................................................................................................................ 16 4.1.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 16 4.1.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 17 4.2. Clackamas County ...................................................................................................................... 18 4.2.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 18 4.2.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 19 4.3. Lane County ................................................................................................................................ 19 4.3.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 19 4.3.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 20 4.4. Linn County ................................................................................................................................ 20 4.4.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 20 4.4.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 21 4.5. Marion County ............................................................................................................................ 21 4.5.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 21 4.5.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 22 4.6. Multnomah County and Metro .................................................................................................... 23 4.6.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 23 4.6.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 24 4.7. Polk County ................................................................................................................................ 24 4.7.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 24 4.7.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 25 4.8. Washington County .................................................................................................................... 25 4.8.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 25 4.8.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 26 i Willamette Valley Conservation Study: Nature-based Recreation and Educational Opportunities and Underserved Areas Assessment 4.9. Yamhill County ........................................................................................................................... 27 4.9.1. Big Six Uses ........................................................................................................................ 27 4.9.2. Connection with Nature ...................................................................................................... 28 4.10. Summary of Findings .................................................................................................................. 28 5. Underserved Areas for Nature-Based Recreation ......................................................... 28 5.1. Identified Underserved Areas ..................................................................................................... 28 5.2. Mapping Evaluation of Underserved Areas ................................................................................ 30 5.3. Underserved Areas Conceptual Model ....................................................................................... 31 6. Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 32 6.1. Interactive Web Mapping............................................................................................................ 33 7. Literature Cited ................................................................................................................ 34 Figures Figure 1. Study area for Willamette Valley Conservation Study. ............................................................ 2 Tables Table 1. Big Six Recreation and Education Opportunities by Jurisdiction .................................................. 6 Table 2. Summary of Big Six Recreation and Educational Opportunities in Nine Counties within the Study Area ........................................................................................................................... 9 Table 3. Statewide Outdoor Recreation Trends, Needs, and Opportunities ............................................... 15 Table 4. Benton County Recreation Trends ............................................................................................... 17 Table 5. Clackamas County Recreation Trends ......................................................................................... 18 Table 6. Lane County Recreation Trends ................................................................................................... 19 Table 7. Linn County Recreation Trends ................................................................................................... 20 Table 8. Marion County Recreation Trends ............................................................................................... 22 Table 9. Multnomah County Recreation Trends .......................................................................................