Summer Wrap-Up RenĂŠ Schulze Memorial Park Conservancy Summer Intern 2016
I am from Conroe, Texas I am a Junior at Texas A&M University Urban and Regional Planning
Introduction
Minor in Park and Natural Resource Management Minor in Sustainable Architecture and Planning
I love sports and the outdoors, going to hometown restaurants, and reading when I get the chance I leave in two weeks to study abroad in Bonn, Germany
My Summer as an Intern
Introduction
A Snapshot of Trail Users
One of the most popular amenities Memorial Park offers are the wilderness trails located on the south side of the Park. The project aims to shed light on the users and uses of the trails by piloting an inventory method. Goals Gain knowledge of trail users Identify different types of trail uses Understand key features and benefits notes among users groups
Timeframe 10 Week internship, approximately 6 weeks dedicated to research
Methods
A Snapshot of Trail Users
Met with park directors and administrators to discuss the needs of the park regarding information about trail users Designed an online survey using Qualtrics Survey Software and made five survey signs with a QR Code The signs were placed at three trail heads of the south side Memorial Park trails The survey was open for 23 days and collected 16 responses
Who Were the Respondents?
GENDER
AGE
TRAIL ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED IN
• Mostly men who responded • Highest age groups: 25-34 and 56-64 • Hiking and Trail Running were the most recorded trail activities
Inventory Findings
TIME SPENT ON THE TRAIL IN A SINGLE USE
PERCEIVED BENEFITS FROM TRAIL USE
• Over half of the respondents spend 1-2 hours on the trail in a single use • Physical health and enjoying nature we the top perceived benefits • 6 out of 14 people use the trails “a few times a week” RUGLARITY OF TRAIL USE
What features of the trails do you appreciate?
Trail Runners “[I] like the roughness of the terrain and elevation changes.” “It’s not [as] congested as other running trails.” Mountain Bikers “Wild and less occupied.” “Options and variety of terrain.”
Hikers “The seclusion from city noise, quiet, and access to nature.” “You feel like you are in a forest in the middle of a city.”
Bird Watchers “There are a fair number of birds here.” “The vastness of the area.”
Dog Walkers
Other
“During the week early in the morning there is a nice community of dog walkers.”
“[I] like the relative solitude of these trails as compared to the more popular and social trails.”
Nature
Variety
“Wild and less occupied.” Mountain Biker
“Nature trails with trees and bushes.”
What makes the trails unique?
Hiker
“Lots of variety of species and smells.” Dog Walker
Technical Challenge
“Variation of difficulty.” “Technical sections.” Hiker
“You can run a couple miles or a short distance all at the same place.” Trail Runner
Mountain Biker
“Terrain gives you a nice workout.” Hiker
“The vastness of the area.” “Roughness of the terrain and elevation changes.” Bird Watcher
Trail Runner
Methodology Survey created using Qualtrics Designed signs on computer and made prints Positioned on yard signs using clear adhesive contact paper 3 placed at trail heads, 2 further into the trails
Trail Survey Logistics
Open for 23 days, collected 16 responses
Supplies 5 Coroplast blank signs (18”L x 24”W) 5 H-frame sign stands 10 paper prints of sign Laminate adhesive shelf liner Online survey through Qualtrics
PROS and CONS
PROS
CONS
Inexpensive
Summer heat, summer vacation
Online surveys are simple to use
Not everyone has a QRC scanner
Collects data from people on the trails
Need to be able to use a smart phone
Signs are mobile
Two signs were stolen
Good starting point for MPC
“Convenience Sample”
Quick to get user feedback
Unclear response rate
Try inventory during a different season Heat Vacation
Have professionally printed signs
Future Research
Conduct an intercept survey Send survey to user groups Future questions What time of day are they using the trails Where do they typically start from How they prefer to give feedback
Recap Urban Planning Student Graduate in Fall 2017 Skills I’ve Advanced In
Future Application
Research Writing Team Work Critical Thinking and Problem Solving On the Job Experience Self Confidence
---Thank you for your attention. Any Questions? ----