• Swimming in lakes
• Hunting (however, hunting from boats appears to be increasing in popularity)
• Tent camping (RV camping appears to be increasing in popularity)

What are BARRIERS to public PARTICIPATION in outdoor recreation in southeast Ohio?

The terrain in southeastern Ohio is mostly hilly. Flat land is in great demand; facilities that require level terrain (for example: ball fields) tend to be overcrowded. Lack of information about what recreation activities are available is also a barrier to public participation. A lack of transportation to outdoor recreation facilities is also seen as a barrier to public outdoor recreation participation.

Other barriers:

• Lack of time
• Costs / user fees
• Discomfort with nature

What OBSTACLES do outdoor RECREATION PROVIDERS face in this region?

Lack of adequate funding and difficulty obtaining funds to match grants are primary barriers. Maintaining existing facilities is also problematic due to insufficient funding.

Other obstacles include:

• Development that is negatively affecting existing open spaces
• Specification requirements of certain grants
• Attitudes of park departments and other agencies
• Lack of access to hunting & fishing due to illegal fencing

What are the most pressing NEEDS of outdoor RECREATION PROVIDERS in southeast Ohio?

Acquisition of lands for hunting, open space preservation, watershed protection and trail connections ranked high on their list of priorities. They also mentioned the need for high quality websites that inform the public about recreation offerings.

Another need often mentioned was for multi-use trails and “connections”; trails that connect to each other, trails that connect parks within communities, connections from communities to municipal outskirts and corridors that connect sections of the Wayne National Forest.

Partnerships and networking were considered important needs by outdoor recreation providers who often require assistance from other agencies.

Other facility type needs were:

• Multi use long distance trails
• Ball fields
• Parking for trails
• Boat ramps on Ohio River
• Campgrounds associated with trails
• Soccer fields
• Outfitters for ATV, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking
• Naturalists, especially as tour guides
• ATV campgrounds
• Facilities for organized youth sports
• Well designed trail heads with complete amenities – water, signage, etc.

What are important PLANNING ISSUES for outdoor recreation providers in this region?

The need for new amenities on the Ohio River and the use of land in the Wayne National Forest are primary planning issues. A very high priority is placed on public land acquisition and planning for corridors and connectivity. Determining public need and outdoor recreation preferences as well as finding solutions to major user conflicts are all challenges.

Other planning issues and concerns:

• Combining schools into consolidated school districts is perceived as a negative due to the loss of public play spaces that existed at the local schools; townships can’t afford to maintain existing facilities.
• Parks and recreation departments often lose when in competition with police, fire, etc. for public funds.
• There is a need to package public outdoor recreation information so that this area becomes more of a destination, attracting visitors drawn by a diversity of outdoor activities
• Need to plan workshops on value of grants and grant writing
• Need to network to determine a secure source of funding outside of grants

How do outdoor recreation providers rank the need for PASSIVE outdoor recreation opportunities?

Outdoor recreation providers put a high priority on passive forms of recreation, but recognized the reality of a need for more ATV areas in this region.

There is a concern that the needs of those seeking quiet areas to walk, bird watch, and bike and those looking for ATV riding areas both be accommodated. Also of concern is that the demand for passive, quiet areas is not evident because people are unaware of the region’s natural assets.

Other comments were:

• There is a need for balance between quiet & active outdoor recreation
• The physical character of this region provides tremendous opportunities for the quiet trail experience.
• The Athens trail system is heavily used and highly appreciated
• Getting youth out into nature is a high priority.
• There is a need to assess the market for quiet & passive versus active & motorized outdoor recreation.

What methods of obtaining FUNDS have been successful in southeast Ohio?

Securing grant funds is one of the most successful ways to obtain funding. Levies, taxes, donations, and user fees are also primary sources of funding.

Other comments:

• NatureWorks, LWCF, COTF and the Division of Natural Areas have been instrumental in helping to fund acquisitions in the southwestern Ohio counties.
• User fees , block grants, UPAR, and Healthy Ohioans Grants are also useful forms of funding
• When it comes to trail building and ball field maintenance, volunteers are an excellent substitute for funding.

Comments about outdoor recreation and special populations

Outdoor recreation providers placed a very high priority on the needs of special populations. They were particularly interested in providing programming for the economically disadvantaged, but were concerned about the costs involved. They were also concerned about the cost of providing for the physically disabled and the growing elderly population. They felt that bilingual and universal signage could go a long way to assist the non English speaking population.

Other relevant comments included:

• Cost benefit ratio studies on such facilities would be useful
• Larger recreation events targeted to the physically handicapped and economically disadvantaged are becoming more prevalent (handicapped turkey hunts, handicapped 3-day hikes, busing urban kids to the region’s hills to experience nature)
• There is a growing need to provide outdoor activities for aging baby boomers