SCORP Focus Group Report
Southwest Ohio
Focus Group Locations: Cincinnati, Wilmington & Tipp City
What are the most POPULAR outdoor recreation activities in this region?
Outdoor recreation providers indicated that walking, biking, and hiking/backpacking on trails is very popular in this region; in fact trails were mentioned multiple times.
The following outdoor recreation activities seem to be INCREASING in popularity:
- Kayaking & canoeing
- Active youth sports (softball, basketball, baseball, soccer, t-ball & lacrosse)
- Dog park visitation
- Geo-caching
- Nature observation and programming
Activities that seem to be DECLINING in popularity are:
- Sailing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Lake Swimming
- Hunting
Fishing participation was reported to be increasing and decreasing, depending upon type of fish and fishing location.
Outdoor recreation providers said that overcrowding at facilities that host popular activities is a barrier to public participation. Ball fields, camp sites, league sports and playgrounds were all identified as often being quite overcrowded.
Other barriers that were identified:
- Lack of time
- Distance to travel
- Expense
- Life style issues (busyness, technology, cell phones, I-pods, video games, etc.)
- Safety concerns & discomfort with nature
What OBSTACLES do outdoor RECREATION PROVIDERS face in this region?
Outdoor recreation providers cited the lack of available land as a primary barrier to providing outdoor recreation to the public. Acquisition of land in urban areas is increasingly costly. The difficulty of convincing the public that outdoor recreation is a community and health benefit was also discussed. The public seems to lack information about available opportunities.
Outdoor recreation providers discussed other obstacles including:
- Lack of funding for staff and maintenance
- Lack of facilities
- Older infrastructure is failing
- Political barriers
- Recreation is often a low priority, and as such is the first to receive funding cuts.
What are the most pressing NEEDS of outdoor RECREATION PROVIDERS in southwest Ohio?
Better facilities, new facilities, and maintenance issues are high priority needs. Providers unanimously stated that a dedicated source of funding is a primary need - for planning, expanding opportunities, programming and acquiring easements.
Other outdoor recreation facility needs that were identified included:
- Green space
- Campgrounds
- Pocket parks, shelters, swings, and playing fields
Outdoor recreation providers also expressed a need for better communication, leadership and agency commitment at all levels.
What are important PLANNING ISSUES for outdoor recreation providers in this region?
Providers place a very high priority on planning for urban communities, educating the public, and acquiring and protecting green space, riparian corridors and natural habitat.
Other important planning issues that were identified include:
- Safe routes to school
- Access for kayaks, canoes & john boats
- Communication and partnerships to promote environmental education & recreation as health benefit
- Zoning to prevent development and sprawl
- Control of invasive plants such as honeysuckle
- Need for safe areas for children and teens to recreate
- Increasing the level of public support for recreation development
How do outdoor recreation providers rank the need for PASSIVE outdoor recreation opportunities?
Passive recreation activities, concerns, and issues ranked extremely high among outdoor recreation providers in the southwest region.
The need to adequately provide for the following specific activities was stressed.
- Bird-watching
- Hiking
- Photography
- Tai chi
- A balance between quiet & active outdoor recreation pursuits.
What methods of obtaining FUNDS have been successful in southwest Ohio?
Grant funding was reported to be one of the most successful forms of funding. Many outdoor recreation providers also cited levies, taxes, donations and user fees as primary sources of funding.
Outdoor recreation providers also had the following comments about funding for outdoor recreation:
- Current mind set and culture deter charging entrance fees to park facilities.
- User fees for shelters, outdoor workshops and events can bring in funds
- Niche groups often raise funds for their own preferred facility development or maintenance (for example: dog parks)
- Volunteer labor can be worth many thousands of dollars.
- Community groups and non-profits (for example: Rotary) can provide funds for community development.
- There is an increasing need to obtain non-traditional funding.
Comments about outdoor recreation and special populations
Most of the outdoor recreation providers in this southwest region place a high priority on special populations & their needs. Participants have experience providing outdoor recreation opportunities to physically handicapped, non-English speaking, elderly and economically disadvantaged populations. Their concerns include:
- There is a need for programming for elderly and disabled individuals.
- The issue of bilingual public outdoor recreation websites and signage was discussed. There were a variety of opinions.
- There is a need to educate urban children about nature and the benefits of outdoor recreation.
- There is a need to balance ADA sites with those that challenge the rest of the population.
- Signage systems should be designed to accommodate special needs and should provide for sight impaired persons whenever possible.
- Additional research, information and education are needed as to how best to meet ADA requirements.