Trends in Outdoor Recreation Implications and Strategies Sid

Trends in Outdoor Recreation Implications and Strategies Sid Stevenson, Ph. D. Division of Recreation Resources Kansas State University

Factors influencing change Demographic n Economic n Psychographic n Participation (as impacted by D, E & P) n We can only react to Demographic and Economic Impacts but we may be able to influence Psychographic changes and Participation to some degree

Demographic n Boomers aren’t the only trend but they are the most notable one – The largest jump in participation rates are those 60 years of age and older!! – The 2 nd largest jump was 30 -44 yr olds (which is declining at a high rate in KS) n In/Out Migration and Rural to Urban continues at a high rate – Over 50% of KS Counties lost population over the last decade – Suburban growth increasing at 5 -10% annually

Economics n n n Whether it is the result of 9/11 or the price of gas or KS School Finance or the Chronic under funding of public recreation and park services, the impacts on agencies and the user public is substantial. Reliance on fees has become permanent…. a revenue necessity, even at the Federal level Partnerships and Collaboration are similarly driven by need – Partners Outdoors 2006 – Multiple federal agencies and numerous NGOS met recently with the intent to explore the TOOLS available to all suppliers to meet the future’s challenges Ironically lack of public access has spawned a new industry …leased private land recreation outfitters, making even more land inaccessible to non affluent segments of the public. It is not all bad news. Necessity has made us creative (WIHA, Country Stampede, KS 4 WD Association Cabins, Partnerships, Coalitions, Volunteers). These partnerships will reward us in the future with more supporters when we do go to the Legislature.

Psychographic n Recreational interests are simply changing. – X games - NASCAR – – Technology (+ new equip, - new distractions) – We have less free time and more competition for what there is – Some recently popular outdoor recreation activities may have short lives as they are not broadly supported, other than by an enthusiast core – Younger generations are increasingly out of touch with nature and natural resources, such as fish and wildlife – Immigrants in increasing numbers cannot be expected to share the same heritage and historical appreciation. – Essentially people’s leisure portfolio is lacking n Good attempts to change this Wow on the Water, etc…

Client preferences have changed Private Campground in So. Central Colorado

The expected experience values still exist but fewer people seek them USFS Campground. 5 miles away

In your opinion, what has most influence this change in client preferences? 1. 2. 3. 4. Affluence Skills and appreciation for simplicity not being passed from generation to generation Its all about social networking Influence of technology

Change in participation of selected outdoor recreation activities 2012

Enthusiasts (Understandably impacted by their large investment. Do these squeaky wheels overly influence our supply of experiences ? ? ) n Often comprise 15% or less of a user group but can account for 80% or more of the total participation Selected Activity days/yr %of US pop % of US days Biking 30 7. 4% 80. 0% Bird Watching 50 9. 1% 91. 0% Alpine Skiing 6 2. 6% 74. 0% Dev Camping 8 6. 3% 76. 0% Canoeing 4 1. 8% 73. 0% Hiking 10 7. 1% 83. 0% Off Road Driving 14 4. 5% 87. 0% Horseback riding 6 2. 3% 94. 0%

Would you describe yourself as an outdoor enthusiast in a particular pursuit? 1. 2. 3. Yes, at one activity Yes, at more than one activity No

Outdoor Recreation in America 2003 highlights Downward Trend appearing n 87% of American participated in an outdoor recreational activity over the past twelve months … n However, beginning in 2001 and even more strongly in 2003, a long-time pattern of increasing outdoor recreation participation changed into downward trend. For 2003, only 6 tracked activities showed an increase in participation (percentage of the public reporting participation over the past twelve months) while 21 showed a decline in participation. n Only one activity, driving for pleasure, showed a substantial increase (up 7 points from 2001). I’m sure that as well has been impacted this year

Positive Trends

Which of the following do you feel is the most likely to result in positive gains in outdoor recreation participation 1. 2. 3. 4. Focus on gateway activities that lead to other activity Focus on parent/child activities to be passed along Expand outdoor skills training at all levels but particularly in schools Other

PARTICIPATION In Decline… n n n Concerns about travel post September 11, 2001 are likely to have contributed to this decline but other factors, including leisure time opportunities on the Internet and increased offerings through cable and satellite TV channels are also likely factors, as are Demographic changes. There was also a significant reported decline in frequency of participation in outdoor recreational activities. There was a 5 point drop between 2001 and 2003 in the percentage of the public reporting participation in recreational activities several times per week (26% versus 21%) and a 7 point drop in those reporting participation several times per month (29% versus 22%). The drop in frequency of participation was especially noteworthy among young adults, a trend first noted in the 2001 survey. It is noteworthy that this group reports high access to the Internet. 18 -29 year olds are now less likely to be frequent recreation participants (19%) than Americans between the ages of 30 and 44 (24%) or those 45 to 59 (22%). Four in 10 young adults are likely to engage in recreation either less than monthly or never.

Challenges: n n Declines in participation in so many recreational activities and the overall frequency of participation clearly put the benefits arising from recreation participation at risk and Challenges leisure services suppliers to either adapt to or reverse the trend

Kansas Health Stats

Problem and Opportunity Executive Order 13266 n n n Healthier. US is not widely known Despite the mandate for land water management agency involvement, we have not capitalized on the full potential of collaboration… Resulting in some missed opportunities…

The framework for unprecedented coordination America’s Public Lands and Waters: The Gateway to Better Health?

Opportunity National Trails Day

“Recreational Activity” n The physical and mental health benefits of “recreational activity” are well documented

Natural Cure for the Blues n 80% - 90% of outdoor participants – – Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment Feel the natural setting allows them to escape the pressures of everyday life – Believe it keeps then feeling young – Feel it allows them to connect – with themselves *Exploring the Active Lifestyle, Prepared for Outdoor Industry Foundation by Harris Interactive, Copyright 2004.

Natural cure for other ailments: n n n 93% of Americans believe that outdoor recreation can improve Health 79% …can improve Education 75% …reduce Childhood Obesity 71% …reduce Juvenile Crime 66% …reduce Underage Drinking 64% …reduce Illegal Drug Use

With the vast majority of Americans feeling positively relative to the contribution of outdoor recreation to health and other social issues why the lack of funding ? 1. 2. 3. The profession still needs to communicate this information to lawmakers The profession is too fragmented…too many groups and entities that are difficult to organized efficiently Recreation is still not quite considered an essential human service

Marketing the Outdoor Recreation BENEFIT of better health should result in: n n Increased utilization of refuges, lakes, trails, and parks Enhanced stewardship of public lands Positive public image Encouraging the public to see land water management agencies in a different, and very positive light

It’s not just about caring for the public lands… It’s about caring for the people who use them

Gateway to Better Health n Hiking, biking and camping have the greatest longevity of the human powered outdoor activities* n People who enjoy these activities are more likely to try – – – – Climbing Downhill skiing Snowboarding Kayaking Cross-country skiing Trail running Snow shoeing Volunteering *Exploring the Active Lifestyle, Prepared for Outdoor Industry Foundation by Harris Interactive, Copyright 2004.

Enjoyment is the Key It would appear that, in the next few decades, the greatest potential to increase human movement in daily life will be by increasing participation in physical activity which is inherently part of a pleasurable leisure experience and has meaning aside from exercise. In other words, leisure, play, recreation, sport, contact with nature, etc.

Addressing the lack of fitness with parks may be a niche…. but I wouldn’t bring back the fitness trail just yet

Secret to Success? Start Young! n n 90% of active adult participants started between the ages of 5 and 18* The average Americans start their favorite activity is 18 years old. * n n Personal challenges and health benefits are what keep people active throughout their lives* If a person becomes involved in one activity, there is a strong inclination that they will be interested in other activities, thus raising their activity throughout their life. * *Exploring the Active Lifestyle, Prepared for Outdoor Industry Foundation by Harris Interactive, Copyright 2004.

KDWP strategy for Wildlife side

Volunteering Those who volunteer on environmental projects are nearly 3 times (2. 7) more likely to be meeting recommended levels of physical activity

NRPA and No Child left inside

Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

Environmental Education Plan for Kansas

Volunteering (an emerging recreation experience) aided by agency need n Willingness to volunteer on federal lands is strong with 21% of all Americans expressing a personal interest in being a public lands volunteer. Of those interested, 24% reported actual volunteer activities on public lands over the past year. Volunteerism interest is higher among active recreationists in general and much higher among participants in certain activities, notably canoers/kayakers (57%), wildlife viewers (46%) and RVers n Those most concerned about the environment are especially active in recreation. 82% of Greenback Greens and 75% of True-Blue Greens reported participation in outdoor recreation at least monthly, versus 57% of the public overall.

Technology n n The 2003 data shows a continuing growth in ownership and use of electronic communications and leisure options by the American public. Roper believes this phenomena has been detrimental to outdoor recreation participation. Strategies include utilizing technology as a catalyst to increase participation. . – Including the use of new technologies (GPS, IPODs and PDAs) n n n NPS Pocket Ranger project utilized interpretive information downloaded to PDAs to enhance outdoor experiences Online Reservations KS Recreation Amenity Inventory

Other participation impacting Issues noted by the public n Reports of incompatibilities between activities, including competition for limited resources, are becoming more common. – Some people are skeptical about management conclusions that recreational activities are incompatible with wildlife and habitat values. n Habitat and open space are seen as integral to the recreation estate, directly contributing to traditional natural resource-based recreation (hunting, fishing) and emerging recreation (photography, observation). Access to tallgrass prairie is particularly limited. (Most parks have like experiences) – Trails only at Konza and TPNP. n n Lack of physical access to land a more critical issue than lack of supply The public cites a lack of adequate maintenance and operation (M&O) of public land facilities as a critical issue, and desires an on-the-ground management presence especially on state and federal lands. Fees taking their toll. Of those who have visited a federal recreation site recently, most are willing to pay more in fees than they were charged. But this willingness has decreased from earlier studies, likely reflecting more and higher fees at federal sites. Loss of Open Space by Sprawl Kansas, Mo, Washington State, Okla SCORPS

Loss of Open Space The American Farmland Trust (AFT) (2002) has found that the nation is losing two acres of prime farmland every minute. n Kansas lost an average of over 13, 000 acres of rural land annually over the last two decades n

People were hesitant to give up green space and pushed an alternate site for the Manhattan ks aquatic center…. . the value of accessible park/green space is notable.

LOSS OF ACCESS: Over the last 15 years this group of enthusiasts lost access to 70% of the acreage it utilized in the past due to land use and land ownership changes (including leasing) …while we could say this is a wildlife issue I believe the inter-relationship between outdoor activities results in a decline in participation across the board. It will be very interesting to see how a Secretary of the Interior from REI might have a different view…that of making access a priority.

Regarding Reports of User Conflicts-Incompatibility …Pets or Pests ? ?

While we are talking about health…

Wyoming: Snowmobiling fees/permits have created a special interest monster – to the detriment of other recreational trail users.

Sports specific facilities reduce conflict but can we continue to afford them? ?

Maintenance Backlog continues to be a huge issue. Dilemma = Put more money in sinking ships or in proven growth areas. Recreation is a component of Critical Mass of Attraction. Removing amenities will accelerate loss. .

New revenue sources…

Present their own…new set of problems…

Traditional park visitors now avoid the Black Hills for three weeks in August.