BUFFALO COUNTY OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN 2016-2020 Prepared by the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission under the Direction of the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors MRRPC Buffalo County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2016-2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................... I Goals and Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................... I Authority .......................................................................................................................................................................... I Community Participation and Cooperation ...................................................................................................................... I Citizen Groups and Service Clubs ................................................................................................................................... ii 1. GEOPOLITICAL PROFILE ................................................................................ 1-1 Buffalo County ............................................................................................................................................................ 1-1 Landscape .................................................................................................................................................................. 1-1 Agricultural Characteristics ......................................................................................................................................... 1-2 Local Governments..................................................................................................................................................... 1-2 Ecological Landscape ................................................................................................................................................. 1-2 Driftless Area .............................................................................................................................................................. 1-2 Table 1.1 – Buffalo County Assessed Land Uses....................................................................................................... 1-1 Map 1.1 – Buffalo County Location ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 Map 1.2 – Ecological Regions ................................................................................................................................... 1-2 2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE ........................................................................... 2-1 Population ................................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 Population Age ........................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 Gender Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................... 2-1 Urban/Rural ................................................................................................................................................................ 2-2 Farming ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2-2 Housing Trends .......................................................................................................................................................... 2-2 Employment ................................................................................................................................................................ 2-2 Employers ................................................................................................................................................................... 2-3 Per Capita Personal Income ....................................................................................................................................... 2-3 Tourism Expenditures ................................................................................................................................................. 2-3 Table 2.1 – Buffalo County Population Data ............................................................................................................... 2-1 Table 2.2 – Buffalo County Gender Characteristics.................................................................................................... 2-1 Table 2.3 – Buffalo County Housing Trends .............................................................................................................. 2-2 Table 2.4 – Buffalo County Occupations by Industry ................................................................................................. 2-3 Table 2.5 – Buffalo County Employers ....................................................................................................................... 2-3 Table 2.6 – Buffalo County Tourism Impact ............................................................................................................... 2-3 Map 2.1 – Buffalo County Populations ....................................................................................................................... 2-4 3. STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN FINDINGS (SCORP) 2011-2016 ......................................................................................... 3-1 Recreational Trends and Demand .............................................................................................................................. 3-1 Table 3.1 – Projected Trends in Wisconsin Outdoor Recreation Activities ................................................................. 3-2 4. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES .......................................................................... 4-1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 4-1 Developed Land Activities ....................................................................................................................................... 4-1 Driving for Pleasure ............................................................................................................................................... 4-1 Camping ................................................................................................................................................................ 4-1 Golf ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4-2 Tennis .................................................................................................................................................................... 4-3 Buffalo County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2016-2020 Picnicking .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-3 Playground Activities ............................................................................................................................................. 4-4 Horseback Riding on Trails .................................................................................................................................... 4-4 All-Terrain Vehicle Trails ........................................................................................................................................ 4-4 Limited Development Activities .............................................................................................................................. 4-4 Trail Activities ........................................................................................................................................................ 4-5 Hiking and Walking Trails ................................................................................................................................. 4-5 Bicycle Trails..................................................................................................................................................... 4-5 Hunting .................................................................................................................................................................. 4-6 Private Hunt Clubs ............................................................................................................................................ 4-7 Water Activities .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-7 Fishing ................................................................................................................................................................... 4-7 Swimming .............................................................................................................................................................. 4-9 Motor Boating/Water