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DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 1 - Missoula Urban Area Parks Use Survey Conducted by Jim Sylvester Bureau of Business and Economic Research The University of Montana-Missoula ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 2 - 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. The questionnaire was constructed according to accepted principals and guidelines of survey research. The Missoula City/County Parks and Recreation Department provided the topics and some draft questions. The questionnaire was written by trained personnel at the Bureau and then reviewed by the Missoula City/County Parks and Recreation Department. The questionnaire can be found in Appendix 3. This survey was administered by telephone using a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) process. Sampling was conducted using a Random-Digit Dial (RDD) process. The population sampled was all adult Missoulians who live in a household with a working telephone. This population should not be confused with all Missoulians, since it excludes households without working telephones, the institutional population, and Missoulians absent from the area during the survey period. The approximate sampling error for this survey is plus or minus 5.0 percent. This means that using this study design, in 95 of 100 samples a sampled mean would be within 5.0 percent of the population mean. The survey was administered from October 5, 2003 through October 15, 2004. Of the 526 eligible respondents contacted, 434 (82 percent) participated in the survey. Table 1 shows the response rate calculation. Respondents were selected randomly within households. The person answering the telephone had the same probability of being selected as any adult member of the household. If the selected member of the household was not home, an appointment was made to interview the absent respondent. Sampled individuals who were out of state during the administration period, and individuals with medical problems that precluded participation were ineligible. Telephone numbers drawn by the RDD process were ineligible if they were out-of-service, fax machines, or businesses. Numbers for which there was no answer were called repeatedly, during morning, evening, and weekend hours. Those numbers that still did not answer were ineligible. Table 1: Response rate calculation Total sample 526 Refusals 76 Non-interviews 16 Completions 434 Response rate 82.5% ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 3 - Satisfaction with Missoula Area Parks Overall level of satisfaction with Missoula area parks and conservation lands is high. The average satisfaction level was nearly four (Figure1), on a scale from one to five where five is very satisfied, The detailed data are reported in Appendix 1. Figure 1: Satisfaction With Missoula Area Park System 1 2 3 4 5 Park maintenance Urban trail system Conservation lands Overall park system Not at all Very Respondents were asked if they had easy access to their neighborhood parks. Three out of four respondents agreed with the following statement (Figure Figure 2: “I have easy access to my neighborhood park.” Agree 78% Disagree 9% Do not use parks 13% Thirteen percent of the respondents said they did not use the parks and could not answer the question. Respondents were asked a series of potential reasons for not using the parks more (Figure Lack of restrooms was reported by about a quarter. Nearly 1 in five mentioned dogs running loose and safety concerns because of rowdy behavior by others. Distance from home, difficult access and several other reasons followed. User and program fees do not appear to keep Missoula residents from using the parks more. Physical disability was mentioned by about five percent, however this number may be low because some respondents did not answer all the questions because they said they no longer use the parks. Many of these individuals were elderly. ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 4 - A follow-up question asking for anything else preventing them from using parks more resulted in comments about restrooms. These comments can be found in Appendix 2. Figure 4 shows how respondents view the number of different types of public parks. A lack of indoor- cultural facilities jumps to the top. Respondents generally think there are enough developed parks and public golf courses. There appears to be a somewhat mixed opinion regarding conservation lands. Figure 3: Reasons do not use Missoula Area Parks more 4% 4% 9% 12% 12% 15% 17% 17% 17% 18% 25% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Physical disability User or program fees Poorly designed facilities Overcrowding Poor maintenance Distance from home Difficult access Doesn't contain desired features Safety concerns Dogs Lack of restrooms Percentage of respondents Figure 4: Does the Missoula Area have enough of these types of parks? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Natural conservation lands Developed parks Indoor-cultural facilities Public golf courses Percentage of respondents DK Not enough About right Too many ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 5 - Respondents were then asked a list of park facilities and features. Figure 5 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. Figure 5: 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 within urban parks Wildlife and natural information stations Arts & craft facilities Outdoor facilities for performances and festivals Exercise or fitness equipment Sculpture-public artworks Dog specific areas Skateparks Outdoor swimming or wading pools Teen recreation centers Indoor swimming pools Percentage of respondents Use of Missoula Area Parks and Conservation Lands Passive use was the most common park use by Missoula valley adults. Most adults only used the parks a few times during the last 12 months. Figure 6 shows intensity of park use and Figure 7 shows how the parks and conservation lands are used. Of the Missoula households whose children used the parks (Figure 8 & 9) swimming (38%) was the predominate activity, followed by walking and hiking Soccer (28%) was the team sport most mentioned. ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 6 - Figure 6: Adult Use of Missoula Area Parks 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Used trail system Passive use Team sports Individual sports Outdoor recreation Type of Park Activity Percentage of respondents Did not use 1-5 times 6-20 times Over 20 times Figure 7: Adult Park Activities 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% General park use Walk-hike Picnic Observe others Festivals & community events Mountain bike Fishing Dog walk River boating Disc golf Rec bike on paved trails Outdoor rec skills Baseball-softball Art & craft Soccer Organized exercise Tennis Football Golf Road bike Recreational ice skating Nature walks Basketball Ice-hockey Percentage of respondents ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 7 - Figure 8: Children in the parks No children 68% Children do not use 13% Children use 19% Figure 9: Children’s Park Activities 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Recreational swimming Walking-hiking Soccer Golf General playground Ice hockey Baseball Mountain biking Fishing Softball In-line skating Swimming lessons Skateboarding Disc golf River boating Tennis Basketball Volleyball Football In-line hockey Percentage of respondents with children who use parks ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 8 - Favorite Missoula Area Park Greenough and Bonner Parks are Missoula residents favorite parks. Caras and McCormick follow. Respondents like Bonner and Caras parks for the activities available. They like Greenough for the wildness and trail system. The reasons why respondents like the parks are listed below. Figure 10: Favorite Missoula Park McCormick 11% Lowell 3% Open space 5% Federal rec 7% Other urban 8% Bonner 20% Greenough 21% Caras 11% Playfair 5% Fort Missoula 9% Bonner Park Kids like the park Because he knows the park Because there are lot of different things you can you there. Hacky sac, listen to music etc. Close to home Close to home and a lot to do Close Huge playground Large and it has a lot of room for dogs to run around and there's a children area and tennis courts and it is pretty Like the access and i like the band concerts Location convenience Open ness, equipment is safe for all ages, like to have the entertainment there Swing sets ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 9 - Wide variety of things to do, concerts, picnic area Band shell, activities for kids, centrally located, trees Close to home I like it because it is very diverse It has everything you need in a park right there. There's several things to do there Very big and is away from busy streets but it needs more trees Very little trees and good mix of empty space and developed areas We used to live close to it and it has a good facility. Large enough to do activities there Really big and easy to get to offers a lot The concerts that come there and close to home. The open spaces The pool and the people that sit out there All the features it has for kids and families Kids were raised around there and its open and nice Summer concerts and wading pools (which need to be open at night because on summer nights it doesn’t get dark till nine Turtles Variety of activities good for different ages, not so concerned with questionable behaviors of other park users A good example of multi use park for a fairly small space Big, roomy, not bunched together kept up well Can do just about anything Convenient and can be rented to hold group activities Family friendly in a nice neighborhood and is accessible Good for children It's always clean and room for lots of people It has a little bit of everything for everyone It is spacious but not on a busy street and has a good variety of things for everyone Like the concerts Like all the facilities for the kids Picnic area The children’s equipment Variety of things to do Big, and so there's lots of room to spread out big plaything Helped build part of it. Is the play equipment for every child’s age. Spacious and good kids equipment The concerts The concerts that they have there The facilities. Wading pool x Because have big playground and band shell Because of location and the activity there close to home Because the basketball court, plenty of room to play baseball, football and there are tennis courts. Also playground for little kids. Close to home Close to home nice swing sets, basketball and tennis, and wading pool It's close to where i live It's in a good location and good community standing Its just close to my home Just like it Large and has commanding views, it's in a neighborhood also so the streets aren't so busy More to do for the grandkids Open areas not crowded Performance space x good children’s play area The children friendly play equipment Quite and not a lot of people, good for little kids ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 10 - Caras Park The carousel A lot of things for the kids to do Carousel Good location Convenient Dragon Hollow Get to walk out of my back yard of work and eat there Have all kinds of public activities It's by the river and it's downtown. It's actually on public land, not around houses so I'm not interfering with individuals Its beautiful location Its nice Like it because it's clean and it has a lot of options for different kid ages, Carousel it would be nice for them to add an amusement park aspect too many homeless Like the carousel Lot of stuff to do festivals by the river half natural half architectural More child oriented My son likes the playground Next to the bar , contractor, helped to build stairs There's a lot of activities going on X I like to carousel, also I like to go to dinner in the park Well maintained and good trail systems and don’t have to worry about getting mugged Wide open and sunny and it's a good place to get exercise within the city, but I don’t like all of the unattached dogs I wish that was patrolled more All the live music that they have Carousel The carousel Wednesday in the park and the other venues The trail by the Carousel Close to down town Down by the river It's maintained well River walking availability to downtown The carousel The lunch activities during the warm months activities I like that Caras is by the river. Any park that is by the river is desirable. Places for children and adults do a good job and activities going on Activities they have there Carousel and playground Good facility for all kinds of outdoor activities, by the river, centrally located Its charming and i think the carousel is nice, we The activities that are there all the time Kids like it Greenough Almost feel like your in the wilderness instead of town Because in more natural than the rest Because it is a natural park Can keep on going Close to town but still natural Good mountain biking. It's got clean air the trees, the water Being able to take the dog with It's nice and spread out It's quit and close to natures way Its kind of wooded/city area, place for the dogs and kids, amuse yourself. Its not crowded x its pretty x easy access to get to ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 11 - Just the one I most frequent, not really familiar with the others Kept it so natural, wild, cheaper to maintain Like the fact it's still somewhat in natural state. Like the way it feels, positive energy x the land and river she’s a witch and so its all positive in there., quiet further in. Location easy to get to like the trails Natural Not that many people Pretty natural not as developed as some Sort of natural, wish they wouldn't reroute the river x nice park for picnic, bird watch, kids can play The fact the creek run through it and the trails are nice The natural area The natural setting The natural setting it's relaxing The natural wild kind of setting, trails that meander thru the wild parts x size, big The naturalness of the park The trail system, small and easy access Trails, the naturalness of it, size Usually empty like the river Very accessible, wild qualities about it, downtown area I like Greenough because it's natural, not terribly developed. Are facilities to have a picnic and there's trails and a campfire ring. It has river access long trails and trees and not right in the middle of town so less crowded Like walking with the water, access to the creek Scenery and paved trails The naturalness of the area Was close to home Amount of green space and natural setting B/c its more natural and on the outskirts of city Grew up there and know the area Like the trails their Pretty, nice place to take a walk, close to the water The river goes thru it, the benches and the view The stream along side it and winds around the wilderness Trails and beauty of it Not crowded x freedom to be out in nature Beautiful More natural the trails Because it's close to home. Get away from noise X close by, I like it because it's more natural, with trees and water and it's quiet. I like to walk and it’s a great place to walk, its beautiful It's a beautiful place to walk It is natural and there's a nice trail and the creek Its so accessible has the creek and has good bike access Just quieter less people More natural and a lot of walking area Nice mixture with natural setting with urban Proximity to rattlesnake creek and the layout with the trees its just a nice place to go The natural area and trails are peaceful The privacy and tranquil trails x like the creek running through it There's so much nature there close to town, and preservation. They have the information signs. It's wheelchair accessible. It has different trails as well. It keeps its habitat intact. It provides an important corridor for wildlife. Not a recreational park its one where you can walk around and enjoy the scenery Quiet x nice to walk in x peaceful x animals Because it is more natural and the creek. Close to home, Pretty and huge for get togethers It's more natural ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 12 - Nice place to walk by the creek There is less people their And the natural way it is Trails to walk on and being next to water Trees and the paths going through the trees and its not crowded and it smells good in the spring Because of natural setting close to town It’s a nice mixture of dirt trails, paved trails, you're by the creek, picnic and playground areas Its like going to the mtns locally, the accessibility has been improved Its natural and not too crowded Seems more natural of a setting x big That it wild but cared for the plant diversity its peaceful but in the city. But needs more open bathrooms. The trail system A lot of nature and not a lot of human interference x be able to mtn bike and take my dog there Playfair Multi-recreational Like to walk there The walking trail Because it has everything Close to home, has baseball field, a swimming pool and everything needed The tennis courts The soccer fields Multi use Well kept and lots of facilities, can go swimming and picnic and not as much vagrancy Like across from street, pretty X More age appropriate for her kids ages Multiuse area could be maintained and landscaped a little better They have a jogging trail Many things you can do there Good parking easy to get. Close by, and trails It is a pretty area with big trees, walked when my kids were there for baseball. The natural setting with the wildlife in it Close to house and has a real nice walking path, need to finish path part by the swimming pool Fort Missoula Enjoy the walking trails X using the fields I go there primarily to walk my dog in the morning but I like to watch sports there, and generally there's not too many people there when I use it in the morning and evenings. it’s a big park X easy access Size and isn't crowded The size, the variety of activities that it can handle such as soccer, football, tennis, some basketball, and location. The trail system Open areas Never crowded, like walk and run over there Close by Close, not that congested; lots of room Its handy to where I live and has a nice walking path Openness The openness X Trails and variety of things to do Lost for children to do & well maintained Walking on the trails, picnics and watch games Combined manicured park land, river The open spaces Close to work like the trail system and area in General Good surface, know how far going, and safe Maintained and clean and enough stuff for kid to play on ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 13 - Openness Open x not a lot of regulations out there The natural setting The open space The trail that runs through it The walking Variety of activities Walking trail. X spacious The natural area McCormick Down by river nice area Easy access and non motor vehicle access Good place for passive use Got everything to offer McCormick- I just like the area Size and variety The river trail The trail that fallows the river Trail system along the river trees etc. Very pleasant place to be having it along the river Closest to my house, trail system , has everything. Incorporates many different uses, urban area, ample parking, multi seasonal, summer programs On the river, have access to downtown, the pond, the ball field, and other things, rural enough Can walk dog down there Like to swimming, fishing, baseball, Frisbee, right in town Location, outdoor swimming pool X the interconnectedness with the trail system Multiple uses, fishing, pool, field areas, assortment of things going on, lacks playground things for children Spend most of time there The trail that runs along the river and close to home. Because I can get to the swimming pool Because of the quantity of trees the river All kinds of thing for children to do Because there's basketball over there and it's not too far from where I live and it's not too crowded. Plus they've got the baseball field there too. The park he grew up around Close to water & easy to get too For the baseball field Open and variety of activities The softball fields playground pool It offers something for everyone Like the skating in the winter pond good all year round More for children to do They have wide open spaces for throwing things & Horseshoe spaces Because its sort of private and it has nice facilities to rest and walk. Nice by the river, pretty good size That it's not near a busy street less people use it by the river And can bring the dog There’s a lot of things to do Kim Williams The length of it could develop the other side one for bikes and one for pedestrians It's peaceful, there's the native plants, there's places to sit, very meditative with the native plants and the river, and the landscape changes, there's variety. Mix of mostly natural high traffic use, close to neighborhoods, Greenough also, until went downhill Right along the river and there’s trails and its kept up nice It's close too where they live, well lit at night and good for the family. Great for taking walks, well-lit at night, seems safe, friendly Nice trail, easy, pretty, well-maintained ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 14 - Big and scenic, covers a lot of area Near the bark park I ride my bike on the trail. Especially like being near the river and how long the trail is. Look out over it from office and it really makes downtown beautiful Mt. Jumbo and Mt. Sentinel Nice to bike and hike trails so close to the city Hiking areas open spaces It's the only one i know The exercise plus a chance to continue it on as far as you want to go and most of all the view, with plenty of area to get away and sit The fact that you can hike up the Used to hike it every day, when i first came here, i liked the view Fun place Good uphill walk and the there's no dog leash laws The walk up the hill Other urban parks It's a Has a really nice area Grew up there The equipment Like the closeness of it, seems to be geared towards kids, right over by the school The variety of activities Huge trees especially in fall, residential area is nice Watching the flowers and girls Convenience Decorated nice kept clean x the nicest park in Missoula I like it because it is versatile and beautiful Likes to have a good cry there Pretty peaceful well kept Roses and memorial sculptures See it on the way to work Has playground equipment, paved trails, fenced in, dog park is fenced in Because it is good for the children Kids really like the park : bit enough for adults to play Has a lot to offer to children Nice for little ones kid proof Stuff to do Like the way they arranged it and everything and all of the people built it up and it’s nice for the kids They call it the Castle Park and enjoy all the features of that park. Location open grassy area Really nice park little bit of everything Has water in summer great facilities for older and younger kids The kids equipment and wading pool, open field Water in summer, playground canopied tables Kids like it Watch kids have fun and centrally located. More of a community park Up linda vista lower park We're really fortunate in the variety of parks that we have. Like to golf, need another golf course Trails Easy access to fishing and hiking, very good river access for boat launch It has access to the crick, and my dogs seem to enjoy it and it is very restful. And it's convenient Convenient like the creek Pleasant Very peaceful Access Unusual , open space, unimproved aspect ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 15 - Pattee Canyon, Blue Mountain, Rattlesnake The multiple use and multiple season use of Pattee Canyon. Easy access to house and its pretty Folf trails, mountains Not a lot of people, I can take my dogs there Lots of picnic tables and not too crowded, good place to bring the dog X The design of the trail and the surface not rocky or loose Blue Mountain- what it has to offer you can go up their and play Frisbee golf, area, foot trails. It's got an extensive trail system that's easy to follow. Can go out there and spend the day. It's a bigger area and can ride a bike for several hours. Because I hike around in there a lot and you can get away from buildings but still see the city itself Lot of open area x same with patty canyon Good walking trails Easy access to river nice area Like to walk up there, swim in the swimming hole, walk dog More natural more opportunity to get away from people X Run and bike there Can take dogs and wide variety of terrain Like the area and being able to walk the trail Lots of good trails for mountain biking Number of trails Love that it rattlesnake cr. Is a part ofit natural feel to it, not just expansive grass, natural habitat, multi- use Gorgeous Wildness and extensiveness Close to home ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 16 - Don’t know about these facilities and features in Missoula area parks 23% 17% 18% 32% 25% 22% 25% 32% 21% 24% 20% 50% 27% 47% 22% 27% 38% 21% 29% 25% 29% 31% 22% 39% 25% 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 within urban parks Wildlife and natural information stations Arts & craft facilities Outdoor facilities for performances and festivals Exercise or fitness equipment Sculpture-public artworks Dog specific areas Skateparks Outdoor swimming or wading pools Teen recreation centers Indoor swimming pools Percentage of respondents ---PAGE BREAK--- DRAFT-10/30/2003 - 17 - Not enough of these facilities and features in Missoula area parks 18% 20% 25% 33% 33% 34% 35% 40% 35% 41% 39% 67% 46% 64% 44% 48% 57% 46% 56% 53% 58% 62% 61% 87% 74% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 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 within urban parks Wildlife and natural information stations Arts & craft facilities Outdoor facilities for performances and festivals Exercise or fitness equipment Sculpture-public artworks Dog specific areas Skateparks Outdoor swimming or wading pools Teen recreation centers Indoor swimming pools Percentage of respondents with opinion