2011 Virginia Outdoors Demand Survey Report of Results Prepared by: James M. Ellis, Ph.D. Director of Research Deborah Rexrode, M.A. Project Manager Peter Furia, Ph.D. Project Manager Jaesook Lee, M.A. Research Analyst David Shreve, Ph.D. Research Analyst Prepared for: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation February 2012 Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service University of Virginia CSR Project 11.001 2011 VIRGINIA OUTDOORS DEMAND SURVEY Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... i List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................... vi Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... vii Purpose of the Survey ............................................................................................................................. vii Survey Methods ...................................................................................................................................... vii Overview ................................................................................................................................................ vii Survey Results ....................................................................................................................................... viii Access to Outdoor Recreation ........................................................................................................... viii Most Needed Recreation Opportunities ............................................................................................ viii Participation in Recreational Activities ............................................................................................. viii Information about Recreational Activities .......................................................................................... ix Amenities, Camping and State Parks .................................................................................................. ix Natural Areas and Their Protection ..................................................................................................... ix Race, Ethnicity and Recreational Activities ..........................................................................................x Summary ...............................................................................................................................................x I. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Survey ................................................................................................................................1 About the Report .......................................................................................................................................1 II. Survey Methods .....................................................................................................................................2 Questionnaire .........................................................................................................................................2 Sample ...................................................................................................................................................2 Weighting ..............................................................................................................................................2 Survey Protocol .....................................................................................................................................3 Production .............................................................................................................................................3 Survey Response ...................................................................................................................................4 Results of the Mode Experiment ...........................................................................................................4 Recommended Data Collection Approach for 2016 ..............................................................................5 Margin of Error......................................................................................................................................5 III. Survey Results ...................................................................................................................................6 Subgroup Analysis ....................................................................................................................................6 Overview of Respondents..........................................................................................................................6 Homeownership .....................................................................................................................................6 Center for Survey Research i DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION Age ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Hispanic Origin .................................................................................................................................... 7 Race ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Gender .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Income .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Access to Outdoor Recreation .................................................................................................................. 9 Importance of Access ........................................................................................................................... 9 Participation by Time of Week ............................................................................................................. 9 Sources of Information about Recreation Opportunities ...................................................................... 9 Technology and Recreation ................................................................................................................ 10 Historic Sites ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Natural Areas, Preserves and Refuges ................................................................................................ 11 Camping ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Camping Amenities ............................................................................................................................ 11 Developing Public Campgrounds ....................................................................................................... 12 Most Needed Recreation Opportunities ............................................................................................. 12 Developed Sites vs. Natural Areas ..................................................................................................... 13 Participation in Activities ................................................................................................................... 13 Participation in Outdoor Activities ..................................................................................................... 15 Participation in Organized Sports ....................................................................................................... 15 Participation in Water-Related Activities ........................................................................................... 15 Participation in Wheeled Activities .................................................................................................... 15 Participation in Miscellaneous Activities ........................................................................................... 15 Participation in Winter Activities ....................................................................................................... 16 Virginia’s State Parks ............................................................................................................................. 16 Top Reasons to Have State Parks ....................................................................................................... 16 Reasons for Lack of Use ..................................................................................................................... 16 Importance of Specific Amenities in Virginia State Parks ................................................................