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Highlights from Missoula Urban Area Parks Use Survey Conducted by Jim Sylvester, Bureau of Business and Economic Research The University of Montana- Missoula This report presents the results of a Missoula City/County Parks and Recreation Department commissioned telephone survey conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at The University of Montana. The Bureau conducted the interviews during October 2003. The Missoula City/County Parks and Recreation Department commissioned this survey to learn the opinions of a true cross section of valley residents. Persons testifying at public meetings, writing letters to the op-ed pages of local newspapers, or calling the various “hotlines” may not be representative of the entire population. In addition, the Missoula City/County Parks and Recreation Department was interested in whether or not there were differences between residents of various regions of the valley. Satisfaction with Missoula Area Parks Overall level of satisfaction with Missoula area parks and conservation lands is extremely high. The average satisfaction level was four, on a scale from one to five where five is very satisfied, The detailed data are reported in Appendix 1. Respondents were asked if they had easy access to their neighborhood parks. Three out of four respondents agreed with the following statement : “I have easy access to my neighborhood park.” Respondents were then asked a list of park facilities and features. Figure 4 shows the percentage of respondents saying there were not enough of various features or facilities. Swimming pools both indoor and outdoor were mentioned as lacking by roughly half the respondents. Teen recreation centers were mentioned by a similar percentage. ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 4: Not enough of these facilities and features in Missoula area parks 14% 16% 21% 23% 25% 27% 27% 27% 28% 31% 31% 33% 33% 34% 35% 35% 36% 36% 39% 40% 41% 42% 47% 53% 56% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Softball-baseball parks Developed manicured park areas Picnic facilities Tennis courts Multipurpose fields Playgrounds Natural surface trails Outdoor basketball courts Passive use areas Paved trails River access sites Senior recreation centers Indoor recreation facilities In-line hockey rinks Natural areas w ithin urban parks Wildlife and natural information stations Arts & craft facilities Outdoor facilities for performances and fetivals Exercise or fitness equipment Sculpture-public artw orks Dog specific areas Skateparks Outdoor sw imming or w ading pools Teen recreation centers Indoor sw imming pools Percentage of respondents