OutdoorNebraska

55 D E M A N D O F O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N Nebraska Trends The Generalized Nebraska Survey mentioned previously yielded 1,502 responses from the seven SCORP Regions of Nebraska. The survey focused on the use of different types of recreational amenities and activities, limitations and expansion of certain amenities at parks, and demographic information. The results of this survey are displayed to the right and are used to illustrate the demand for outdoor recreation in Nebraska, establish the Action Plan for our state, and develop a list of priority projects for future Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) appropriations. In order to determine the level of demand Nebraskans have for recreation, it is necessary to evaluate the amenities used and how often people are participating in recreational activities. Ninety-two percent of respondents felt outdoor recreation was either very important or somewhat important to their quality of life, indicating outdoor recreation plays a critical role in the quality of life of Nebraskans. This inherently suggests the support for funding, maintaining, and expanding facilities within communities in recreation areas. Source: "Nebraska Outdoor Recreation Survey." Conducted by UNL-BOSR. (2018). Lincoln, NE. Figure 4.1: How Important Nebraskans See Outdoor Recreation To Their Quality of Life Figure 4.2: Frequency of Recreation in 2018 Figure 4.3: Top 5 Factors That Limit Households' Participation in Outdoor Recreation Figure 4.4: Feeling About the Outdoor Recreational Activities Their Community Provides The data from the survey further illustrates how often people went outside to recreate in 2018. Over half of respondents, approximately 57%, are recreating about the same, which indicates a majority of people haven't changed their level of participation in recreation since the last SCORP survey. Whereas, 27% are recreating less, and approximately 16% are recreating more. Respondents recreating less could be influenced by the top five factors limiting households' participation in outdoor recreation, which is presented in Figure 4.3. The first three factors limiting recreation include: job responsibilities, family responsibilities, and weather, which communities or recreation professionals cannot control. However, the last two factors, desired facilities not available and crowded sites, are items communities can focus on to increase participation in outdoor recreation. Other responses limiting participation also included: sites are too far away, lack of information about sites, and lack of recreational skills. COVID-19 has brought some opportunity in the recreation world as there has been an uptick in participation indicated by the increase in all NGPC permit sales due to a lack of competition for other activities that are safe. These limitations and opportunities associated with COVID-19 should be considered when communities are determining where to focus their efforts in improving their future outdoor recreation offerings. Over half of respondents felt they had enough recreation activities in their community. This is slightly lower than in 2014, where 58% of respondents felt they had enough recreational activities. Communities should take this into consideration as a question they pose to their constituents to better understand opinions of the recreation resources currently offered. Feeling About the Outdoor Recreational Activities Their Community Has 46.4% Not Enough 53.1% Enough 0.5% Too Many Going Outside for Recreation in the Past 12 Months Less (26.9%) About the same (56.7%) More (16.4%) How Important Nebraskans See Outdoor Recreation To Their Quality of Life 57.2% Very Important Somewhat Important 34.8% Not Very Important 5.4% Not Important At All 2.7% Top 5 Factors That Limit Households' Participation in Outdoor Recreation 63.7% Job Responsibilities 60.0% Family Responsibilities 43.2% Weather 36.5% Desired Facilities Not Available 34.0% Sites Too Crowded

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