SCORP Focus Group Report
Northwest Ohio
Focus Group Locations: Findlay, Fremont, and Toledo
What are the most POPULAR outdoor recreation activities in this region?
Outdoor recreation providers identified birding, boating, fishing, and organized sports as the most popular activities in this region. Multipurpose trail use is on the INCREASE, as is the demand for dog parks. The only outdoor recreation activity in which participation seems to be DECLINING is picnicking.
These activities are popular in northwest Ohio:
- Active sports (soccer, softball, baseball, etc.)
- Birding (for example: Migratory Bird Day)
- Boating (power boating; boating in conjunction with camping or fishing)
- Dog park use
- Fishing (ice fishing, sport fishing)
- Organized activities/sports
- Swimming
- Trail use
- Walking
Multipurpose access to Lake Erie, busy schedules, facility size/parking availability, money, and weather were the prominent barriers to public participation listed by the participants in this region.
Specific barriers that were discussed include:
- Busy schedules (time constraints; commute time)
- Facility size/parking availability (facilities too crowded; proximity of parking)
- Lake Erie access (for boating, fishing, trail users and beaches)
- Money
- Weather (decrease in visitation during hot spells except at pools)
What OBSTACLES do outdoor RECREATION PROVIDERS face in this region?
Lack of money and staffing are the greatest obstacles reported by these providers of outdoor recreation.
These obstacles were also identified:
- Money (to maintain existing facilities and front funds for reimbursement grants)
- Staffing (it is difficult attract applicants; extensive training is required; pay scale is low)
What are the most pressing NEEDS of outdoor RECREATION PROVIDERS in northwest Ohio?
Recreation providers in this region identified the following as pressing needs:
Additional needs that were discussed included:
- ATV facility(s) (Areas for ATVs and snowmobiles)
- Nature centers (for field trips)
- Skate/Bike Park (Rollerblading and BMX)
- Trails (Bicycle)
What are important PLANNING ISSUES for outdoor recreation providers in this region?
How to handle development in relation to outdoor recreation was a planning concern of the participants in this region. Concerns were expressed in relation to saving green space and preventing development in scenic view sheds.
Specific planning issues mentioned:
- Developers are buying public marinas and converting to private use.
- Developers have to donate land when they build, but obtaining funds to develop that land is difficult.
- Housing developments spring up across from existing lighted ball fields; then the new residents want ball field lights turned off earlier in the evening.
- Municipalities have undeveloped land, but turning it into recreation land reduces the tax base.
- Need to partner with developers to find areas of common interest.
- Not enough centralized park or open space is being built in new subdivisions.
- Buildings should not be constructed along water’s edge resulting in view shed development.
How do outdoor recreation providers rank the need for PASSIVE outdoor recreation opportunities?
Participants indicated a strong interest in improving passive recreation opportunities in this region, while no specific needs related to passive recreation emerged as themes.
What methods of obtaining FUNDS have been successful in southwest Ohio?
Outdoor recreation providers in this region deemed various partnerships and grants as the most successful funding methods.
Specific comments:
- Grant money is always welcome, even if a match is required, because this provides an incentive for the community to raise funds.
- Grants (Local grants for ball diamonds, playgrounds, shelters, restrooms)
- ODNR (Clean Ohio Fund, NatureWorks, Use of recycled materials grants, RTP and COTF)
- Partnerships (with community organizations, non-traditional, with local citizens and businesses)
- Wetland mitigation grants
Comments about outdoor recreation and special populations
Some participants indicated that special populations are typically only given attention when complaints are received. A desire to be more proactive in adapting facilities and programs was noted.
Specific comments:
- Complaints dictate what is changed.
- Providers need to be more proactive and ask people about their needs rather than waiting for complaints.
- Restroom accessibility is the biggest complaint from the public.
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