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Issue link: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1539544
14 2025–2030 SCORP INTRODUCTION Public Participation Advisory Committee The committee was comprised of recreation professionals throughout the state. This included representatives from Parks and Recreation departments, Natural Resource Districts, Game and Parks, city administration, community development and trail advocates. Over the course of a year, the committee participated in three virtual meetings and completed three online review and input sessions. The committee's input gave direction to the Priorities and Recommendations, as well as the format of the document. Committee members were given the opportunity to review the SCORP and provide feedback prior to the plan being submitted to the Governor for comment and approval. Generalized Outdoor Recreation Survey Game and Parks contracted with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR) to conduct a generalized outdoor recreation survey in 2024 to understand outdoor recreation use and preferences in Nebraska. A generalized outdoor recreation survey has been conducted for many past SCORP updates. The response rate for the previous 2018 survey was adequate but not consistent across the state. To improve the response rate, many changes were made. This included shortening the survey, simplifying the questions, providing the survey in English and Spanish, and providing an online option. This resulted in almost 4,000 responses, which is more than double the previous survey. The statewide response rate was 25%. The range of regional response rates was 21% - 30%. Unfortunately, the changes do make comparisons with past SCORP data more difficult. Residents of the state's seven SCORP regions provided responses for this survey. Inquiries focused on reasons for engaging in outdoor recreation, obstacles to outdoor recreation, desired amenities and household member participation in outdoor recreation. The survey's findings are shared throughout the SCORP in multiple ways to assist outdoor recreation planning efforts. Community Park Data Survey A park mapping and inventory survey was sent to every Nebraska community to collect data on amenities and facilities within individual community parks. This is a new request of communities. Previously, paper questionnaires were sent to collect overall community park data. Considering the new unfamiliar method, the response rate was good. To date, over 700 community parks have been mapped. This new method allows for easy updating in the future. In the long term, this data can be made available virtually to the public to assist with outdoor recreation planning. Pilot Limited Access Population Survey The survey questions were the same as the generalized outdoor recreation survey but were distributed to limited access communities by representatives of those communities. Communities contacted to participate included Tribal Nations and cultural, disability and older adult organizations. This was done to provide insight to potential differences between limited access communities and generalized survey responses. As this was a first-time pilot survey, the response rate was low. The results are not statistically significant but are thought provoking. Nebraska Recreation and Park Association (NeRPA) Conference Engagement Session This session offered at the 2024 NeRPA conference provided recreation professionals the opportunity to discuss and share their experiences regarding barriers to providing outdoor recreation opportunities and the outdoor recreation needs of Nebraska youth. Public Review Period A publicly advertised 16-day review and comment period was conducted to obtain feedback from the public prior to finalizing the plan. A visitor rides a horse at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. Investigate all the Generalized Outdoor Recreation Survey data on the Nebraska SCORP webpage. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search "SCORP" DRAF T