OutdoorNebraska

Introduction This chapter provides insight regarding the demand for outdoor recreation amenities and activities by analyzing national, state, and local data; and the information gleaned through the public participation components administered by NGPC. These exercises help understand demand in each of the SCORP regions and guide communities in their recreation planning efforts. Public Participation • A Generalized Outdoor Recreation Survey was conducted in 2018 to determine user experiences and preferences regarding public parks and recreational facilities within the State of Nebraska. • An outdoor recreation survey was distributed electronically in 2019 to colleges and universities to understand their preferences. • A community Outdoor Recreation Questionnaire was sent to every community in the state to inventory the amenities and services offered in their areas, and to understand the demand for supporting adventure recreation opportunities (e.g., climbing walls, zip-lining). • A youth focused outdoor recreation survey was sent to fourth and fifth graders who participated in NGPC programming in 2019 to understand their outdoor recreation preferences. • A youth art activity was created and conducted at urban schools in 2019 to understand the outdoor recreation amenities they use or would like to see added to parks. • An advisory committee comprised of recreation professionals from Natural Resource Districts, Park and Recreation departments, internal staff from NGPC, and community members from urban and rural areas was created in 2019 to gather input about the action plan and how to connect the public with outdoor recreation. National Trends When communities look to decide what they should add to the outdoor recreation they offer, they should consider what trends are occurring at the national level. According to the 2018 Outdoor Participation Report (2018, The Outdoor Industry Foundation. Washington, DC.), 146 million Americans ages 6 and above, or 49% of the population, participated at least once in an outdoor activity in 2017. Similar to previous reports by the Outdoor Industry Foundation, running, jogging and trail running were the most popular activities among Americans, when measured by the number of participants and the number of total annual outings. Blacks and Hispanics went on the most average outings per participant. The report also illustrated 38% of adults introduced to the outdoors as children were more likely to participate in outdoor activities as adults than those who were not exposed as children. This shows the importance of introducing nature and outdoor activities to children. Create a natural playscape Children who frequent unstructured nature play are more likely to develop lifelong conservation values and behaviors. See the NGPC Natural Playscape Guide for more benefits of nature play and ideas on how to introduce children to nature. Learn more at OutdoorNebraska. gov/Playscapes. HOW-TO PLANNING AND BUILDING NATURAL PLAY AREAS 53

• Cover