OutdoorNebraska

58 2 0 2 1 – 2 0 2 5 S TAT E W I D E C O M P R E H E N S I V E O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N P L A N The same question was asked to college students about their use of the 15 amenities at local vs. state parks in the last 12 months. The survey was a pilot study sent electronically through university and college listservs to gain an unbiased representation of student outdoor recreation preferences among the different majors at the college. Six colleges in both urban and rural areas of the state participated in the survey, yielding 115 responses. Similar to the amenities general Nebraskans prefer at local parks, college students indicated they have used biking/hiking trails, picnic areas, and playground facilities in the last 12 months. Alternatively, college students use sport courts and fields (e.g., soccer, football) more often than the respondents in the General Nebraska Survey. One reason could be because 42% of respondents in the General Nebraska survey were 65 years of age and older, and around 84% of respondents of the college-age survey were between 19 and 24. The college survey helps show the differences in outdoor recreation preferences among a specific age group that wasn't heavily represented in the general survey. Looking at the same question for state parks, biking/hiking trails, picnic areas, and campsites were among the top five amenities preferred by respondents of both the General Nebraska Survey and college students. Swimming facilities were also listed in the top five preferred amenities in state parks, but not local parks. This could be because state parks provide a different type of swimming experience for visitors. Keeping in mind the difference in the survey sample size and age demographics between the General Nebraska and college-aged outdoor recreation surveys, communities should ask themselves if college age residents are coming back into communities when they aren't in school and if preferences are being met within the community. Ultimately, all providers of recreation could use this data to ensure recreation offerings are in line with the preferences of their college age residents. Figure 4.5: College Student Preferences at Local Parks Figure 4.6: College Student Preferences at State Parks Hiking and biking trails remain a top amenity for Nebraskans over the last three SCORPs and contribute to a better quality of life. Source: "College Outdoor Recreation Survey." Conducted by NGPC. (2019). Lincoln, NE. Source: "College Outdoor Recreation Survey." Conducted by NGPC. (2019). Lincoln, NE. Hiking/Biking Trails 61.7% 57.4% 42.6% 36.5% 34.8% Picnic Areas Playgrounds Fields and Courts Sport Courts Hiking/Biking Trails 70.4% 53.0% 48.7% 37.4% 32.2% Picnic Areas Campsites Fishing Docks Swimming Facilities

• Cover