Five-Year Visitor Study
2005
The Boulder County Parks and Open Space
Department (BCPOS) conducts a system-wide study every five
years, which is a demographics and satisfaction survey.
These “five-year studies” (5YS) are designed to look at
long-term trends in visitor demographics, preferences,
attitudes and behaviors, and to complement the regular
annual studies.
Download the Five-Year Visitor Study (1.3 MB pdf)
Summary
In the spring and summer of 2005, BCPOS conducted its
regular 5YS. Trained staff collected 1,812 surveys (58%
response rate) at 20 Boulder County Parks and Open Space
properties, 16 major parks and three neighborhood trails. We
received a higher response rate at parks (72%) than at
neighborhood trails (46%).
The average BCPOS visitor is usually between 40 and 60 years
old. Typically, this average visitor lives in Boulder County
and has probably done so for 10 or more years. They probably
live in Boulder or Longmont, and are slightly less likely to
own a dog as not. Frequently, they have a Bachelor’s,
Master’s or PhD degree. This average BCPOS visitor generally
identifies as white or of Caucasian ancestry, and most
likely earned between $40,000 and $149,999 in 2004.
When the average visitor goes out to a BCPOS park or trail,
they tend to travel by car either alone or with family
members. They probably did not bring a dog that day. The
frequency of their visits is evenly split between it being
their first time at that park, and visiting that park more
than once per week. They frequently stay one to three hours,
and almost always believe the information provided at that
park or trail was adequate for their needs.
On a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent), the typical
visitor nearly always ranked BCPOS parks and trails between
eight and 10. This average visitor to BCPOS trails is almost
certainly hiking, but may also be riding a bike or running
on the trail. They tend to see wildlife on their visits, and
likely support restricting dogs on some trails if it is to
protect wildlife habitat.
In addition, this visitor probably does not feel crowded at
all during their visit. Usually, they do not experience
conflict on the trail that day, but may have experienced
conflict at that park in the past year.
These trends and others are tracked and compared over time,
as are presented in the following study.
For
additional information, contact Boulder
County Parks & Open Space at (303) 678-6200.
Boulder County
Parks & Open Space
5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, Colorado 80503
Phone: (303) 678-6200
Fax: (303) 678-6180
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