Chickasaw National Recreation Area Visitor Study

Transcription

1 Natinal Park Service U.S. Department f the Interir! Natural Resurce Stewardship and Science Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area Visitr Study Summer 2012 Natural Resurce Reprt NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR 2013/652

2 ON THE COVER Lincln Bridge Phtgraph curtesy f Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area

3 Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area Visitr Study Summer 2012 Natural Resurce Reprt NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR 2013/652 Ally Begly, Philip S. Ck, Yen Le, Steven J. Hllenhrst Visitr Services Prject Park Studies Unit Cllege f Natural Resurces University f Idah 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1139 Mscw, ID April 2013 U.S. Department f the Interir Natinal Park Service Natural Resurce Stewardship and Science Frt Cllins, Clrad

4 The Natinal Park Service, Natural Resurce Stewardship and Science ffice in Frt Cllins, Clrad, publishes a range f reprts that address natural resurce tpics. These reprts are f interest and applicability t a brad audience in the Natinal Park Service and thers in natural resurce management, including scientists, cnservatin and envirnmental cnstituencies, and the public. The Natural Resurce Reprt Series is used t disseminate high-pririty, current natural resurce management infrmatin with managerial applicatin. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may cntain NPS plicy cnsideratins r address sensitive issues f management applicability. All manuscripts in the series receive the apprpriate level f peer review t ensure that the infrmatin is scientifically credible, technically accurate, apprpriately written fr the intended audience, and designed and published in a prfessinal manner. Data in this reprt were cllected and analyzed using methds based n established, peerreviewed prtcls and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines f the prtcls. Views, statements, findings, cnclusins, recmmendatins, and data in this reprt d nt necessarily reflect views and plicies f the Natinal Park Service, U.S. Department f the Interir. Mentin f trade names r cmmercial prducts des nt cnstitute endrsement r recmmendatin fr use by the U.S. Gvernment. This reprt is available frm the Scial Science Divisin ( and the Natural Resurce Publicatins Management website ( This reprt and ther reprts by the Visitr Services Prject (VSP) are available frm the VSP website ( r by cntacting the VSP ffice at (208) Please cite this publicatin as: Begly, A., P. S. Ck, Y. Le, and S. J. Hllenhrst Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area visitr study: Summer Natural Resurce Reprt NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR 2013/652. Natinal Park Service, Frt Cllins, Clrad. NPS 107/120492, April 2013 ii

5 Cntents Page Executive Summary... v! Acknwledgements... vii! Abut the Authrs... vii! Intrductin... 1! Organizatin f the Reprt... 1! Presentatin f the... 2! Methds... 3! Survey Design and Prcedures... 3! Sample size and sampling plan... 3! Questinnaire design... 3! Survey prcedure... 4! Data analysis... 4! Limitatins... 5! Special cnditins... 5! Checking nn-respnse bias... 6!... 7! Grup and Visitr Characteristics... 7! Visitr grup size... 7! Visitr grup type... 7! Visitrs with rganized grups... 8! United States visitrs by state f residence... 10! Visitrs frm Oklahma and adjacent states by cunty f residence... 11! Resident f the area... 11! Number f visits t Chickasaw NRA in past 12 mnths... 13! Number f visits t Chickasaw NRA in lifetime... 13! Visitr age... 14! Visitr gender... 14! Language used fr speaking and reading... 15! Respndent husehld incme... 17! Respndent husehld size... 17! Awareness f park management... 18! Trip/Visit Characteristics and Preferences... 19! Park as destinatin... 19! Primary destinatin... 19! Chickasaw NRA as primary reasn fr visiting the area... 20! Services used in gateway cmmunities... 22! Number f vehicles... 26! Use f recreatinal vehicles... 27! Number f park entries... 29! Overnight stays... 29! Accmmdatins used inside the park... 31! Accmmdatins used utside the park... 31! Length f stay in the park... 32! iii

6 Cntents (cntinued) Page Sites visited in the park (Platt District)... 33! Sites visited in the park (Arbuckle District)... 34! Activities n this visit... 35! Activity that was primary reasn fr visiting the park... 36! Activities n future visits... 37! Ratings f Services, Facilities, Attributes, Resurces, and Elements... 38! Infrmatin services and facilities used... 38! Imprtance ratings f infrmatin services and facilities... 39! Quality ratings f infrmatin services and facilities... 41! Mean scres f imprtance and quality ratings f infrmatin services and facilities... 43! Visitr services and facilities used... 44! Imprtance ratings f visitr services and facilities... 45! Quality ratings f visitr services and facilities... 47! Mean scres f imprtance and quality ratings f visitr services and facilities... 49! Imprtance f prtecting park attributes, resurces, and experiences... 50! Expenditures... 52! Ttal expenditures inside and utside the park... 52! Number f adults cvered by expenditures... 53! Number f children cvered by expenditures... 53! Expenditures inside the park... 54! Expenditures utside the park... 58! Incme frgne t make this trip... 63! Preferences fr Future Visits... 64! Cmmercial services available fr future visit... 64! Preferred subjects t learn n future visit... 65! Overall Quality... 66! Visitr Cmment Summaries... 67! What visitrs liked mst... 67! What visitrs liked least... 69! Planning fr the future... 71! Additinal cmments... 73! Visitr Cmments... 74! Appendix 1: The Questinnaire... 93! Appendix 2: Additinal Analysis... 95! Appendix 3: Decisin Rules fr Checking Nn-respnse Bias... 97! References... 98! iv

7 Executive Summary This visitr study reprt prfiles a systematic randm sample f Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area (NRA) visitrs during June 12-18, A ttal f 687 questinnaires were distributed t visitr grups including 680 in English and seven in Spanish. Of thse, 279 English questinnaires were returned, resulting in a 40.6% respnse rate. N Spanish questinnaires were returned. Grup size and type State r cuntry f residence Frequency f visits Gender, age, language used Awareness f park prir t visit Park as destinatin Primary reasn fr visiting the area Services used in nearby cmmunities Transprtatin Number f entries Overnight stays Frty-fur percent f visitr grups cnsisted f five r mre peple and 19% cnsisted f tw peple. Sixty percent f visitr grups cnsisted f family grups. United States visitrs were frm 14 states and cmprised almst 100% f ttal visitatin during the survey perid, with 89% frm Oklahma. Thirty-seven percent f visitr grups were residents f the area (within 50 miles f the park). Internatinal visitrs were frm tw cuntries and cmprised less than 1% f ttal visitatin during the survey perid. Thirty-six percent f visitrs visited the park five r mre times in the past 12 mnths and fr 31% this was their first visit. Frty-five percent had visited 21 r mre times in their lifetime. Fifty-ne percent f visitrs were female. Twenty-seven percent f visitrs were ages 15 years r yunger, 26% were years, 18% were years, and 3% were 71 years r lder. Mst visitr grups preferred English fr speaking (89%) and reading (91%). Mst visitr grups (82%) were aware that Chickasaw NRA is a unit f the Natinal Park System prir t their visit. During the n-site interview, 90% f visitr grups indicated that the park was their primary destinatin, and 6% indicated the park was ne f several destinatins. Fr 65% f visitr grups, Chickasaw NRA was the primary reasn fr visiting the area. Seventy-five percent f visitr grups btained supprt services in the gateway cmmunities f Sulphur, Davis, Ada, and Ardmre. The services mst ften used included buy gasline (73%), eat a meal (69%), and shp (57%). Fifty-eight percent f visitrs used ne vehicle t arrive at the park. Six percent f visitr grups drve a recreatinal vehicle and 35% were in a vehicle pulling a trailer r anther vehicle. On this trip, 49% f visitr grups entered the park nce, 19% percent entered tw times. Frty-nine percent f visitr grups stayed vernight inside Chickasaw NRA r in the nearby area (within 50 miles f the park). Of these, 32% stayed tw nights inside the park and 25% stayed fur r mre nights in the area. Inside the park, 59% f visitr grups tent camped in a develped campgrund. In the area utside the park, 29% stayed in a ldge, htel, mtel, vacatin rental r bed and breakfast. v

8 Executive Summary (cntinued) Length f stay Of the visitr grups that spent less than 24 hurs in the park, the average length f stay was 4.3 hurs. Of the visitr grups that spent 24 hurs r mre, the average length f stay was 3.5 days. The average length f stay fr all visitr grups was 33.1 hurs, r 1.4 days. Sites visited The mst cmmnly visited sites in the Platt District were Little Niagara (67%), Travertine Nature Center (59%), and swimming areas withut lifeguards (55%). The mst cmmnly visited sites in the Arbuckle District were Lake f the Arbuckles (58%), Buckhrn (49%), and bat launches (47%). Activities n this visit The mst cmmn activities were swimming (66%), walking/hiking (49%), and picnicking (40%). Activities n a future visit Infrmatin services and facilities Visitr services and facilities Prtecting park attributes, resurces, and experiences Sixty-six percent f visitr grups were interested in swimming n future visits and 58% were interested in camping. Mst visitr grups (82%) were interested in learning abut the park n future visits. The infrmatin services and facilities mst cmmnly used by visitr grups were Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) (54%), Nature Center living exhibits (52%), and park brchure/map (51%). The visitr services and facilities mst cmmnly used by visitr grups were restrms (72%), parking (69%), and directinal signs in park (47%). The highest cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings fr the imprtance f prtecting park attributes and resurces included clean water (98%), clean air/visibility (92%), and recreatinal pprtunities (85%). Expenditures The average visitr grup expenditure (inside and utside the park within 50 miles) was $187. The median grup expenditure (50% f grups spent mre and 50% f grups spent less) was $68, and the average ttal expenditure per persn (per capita) was $51. Cmmercial services n a future visit Overall quality Seventy-tw percent f visitr grups were interested in cmmercial services n future visits. Of thse, 46% wuld like t have a sit-dwn restaurant available and 46% wuld like a bait/tackle shp. Mst visitr grups (92%) rated the verall quality f facilities, services, and recreatinal pprtunities at Chickasaw NRA as very gd r gd. One percent f grups rated the verall quality as pr. Fr mre infrmatin abut the Visitr Services Prject, please cntact the Park Studies Unit at the University f Idah at (208) r the fllwing website vi

9 Acknwledgements We thank Ally Begly fr cmpiling the reprt, Philip Ck fr verseeing the fieldwrk, Rn Parker, the staff and vlunteers f Chickasaw NRA fr assisting with the survey, and David Vllmer and Matthew Strawn fr data prcessing. Abut the Authrs Ally Begly is a research assistant fr the Visitr Services Prject. Philip Ck is a research assciate with the Park Studies Unit, Yen Le, Ph.D., is Directr f the Visitr Services Prject at the University f Idah, and Steven Hllenhrst, Ph.D., was the Directr f the Park Studies Unit, Department f Cnservatin Scial Sciences, University f Idah, at the time f the fieldwrk. vii

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11 Intrductin This reprt describes the results f a visitr study at Chickasaw NRA in Sulphur, OK, cnducted June 12-18, 2012 by the Natinal Park Service (NPS) Visitr Services Prject (VSP), part f the Park Studies Unit (PSU) at the University f Idah. As described in the Natinal Park Service website fr Chickasaw NRA: At Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area the pwer f place is evident t even the casual bserver: cl creeks flwing ver travertine terraces; the silhuette f a great blue hern perched n the shre f the Lake f the Arbuckles; families reuniting in histric campgrunds; lcal residents cming t fill jugs with mineral water; and the idyllic escape s many find thrugh visits! Visitrs t Chickasaw get tw parks in ne the Platt Histric District and the Lake f the Arbuckles, where they enjy swimming, bating, hiking, and cycling!. Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area has a diversity f natural resurces. These unique flra, fauna, waters, and gelgical frmatins have withstd the external pressures f human-made and natural pressures The cmbinatin f these resurces has created an area unlike any ther in the surrunding regin. ( retrieved Nvember 2012). Organizatin f the Reprt This reprt is rganized int three sectins. Sectin 1: Methds This sectin discusses the prcedures, limitatins, and special cnditins that may affect the study results. Sectin 2: This sectin prvides a summary fr each questin in the questinnaire and includes visitr cmments t pen-ended questins. The presentatin f the results f this study des nt fllw the rder f questins in the questinnaire. Sectin 3: Appendices Appendix 1. The Questinnaire. A cpy f the questinnaire distributed t visitr grups. Appendix 2. Additinal Analysis. A list f sample questins fr crss-references and crss cmparisns. Cmparisns can be analyzed within a park r between parks. f additinal analyses are nt included in this reprt. Appendix 3. Decisin Rules fr Checking Nn-respnse Bias. An explanatin f hw the nn-respnse bias was determined. 1

12 Presentatin f the are represented in the frm f graphs (see Example 1), scatter plts, pie charts, tables, and text. Key 1. The figure title describes the graph s infrmatin. 2. Listed abve the graph, the N shws the number f individuals r visitr grups respnding t the questin. If N is less than 30, CAUTION! is shwn n the graph t indicate the results may be unreliable. * appears when the ttal percentages d nt equal 100 due t runding. Number f visits r mre 2 1 Example 1 N=604 individuals* 5% 9% 5 87% ** appears when ttal percentages d nt equal 100 because visitrs culd select mre than ne answer chice. 3. Vertical infrmatin describes the respnse categries Figure 14. Number f visits t the park in past 12 mnths 4 4. Hrizntal infrmatin shws the number r prprtin f respnses in each categry. 5. In mst graphs, percentages prvide additinal infrmatin. 2

13 Survey Design and Prcedures Sample size and sampling plan Methds All VSP questinnaires fllw design principles utlined in Dn A. Dillman s bk Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailred Design Methd (2007). Using this methd, the sample size was calculated based n the park visitatin statistics f previus years. Brief interviews were cnducted with a systematic, randm sample f visitr grups that arrived at five sites during June 12-18, Visitrs were surveyed between the hurs f 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Table 1 shws the five lcatins, number f questinnaires distributed at each lcatin, and the respnse rate fr each lcatin. During this survey, 754 visitr grups were cntacted and 687 f these grups (91%) accepted questinnaires. (The average acceptance rate fr 250 VSP visitr studies cnducted frm 1988 thrugh 2011 is 91.5%.) The distributed questinnaires included seven in Spanish, f which nne were returned. Questinnaires were cmpleted and returned by 279 respndents, resulting in a 40.6% respnse rate fr this study. (The average respnse rate fr the 250 VSP visitr studies is 72.3%.) Table 1. Questinnaire distributin Distributed Returned Returned Sampling site N % N % by site % f ttal Buckhrn Area Guy Sandy Area The Pint Area Travertine Nature Area Veterans Lake Area Ttal * * Questinnaire design The Chickasaw NRA questinnaire was develped thrugh cnference calls between the park and the VSP staff t design and priritize questins. Sme f the questins were cmparable with VSP studies cnducted at ther parks while thers were custmized fr Chickasaw NRA. Many questins ask respndents t chse answers frm a list f respnses, ften with an pen-ended ptin, while thers are cmpletely pen-ended. N pilt study was cnducted t test the Chickasaw NRA questinnaire. Hwever, all questins fllwed Office Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines and/r were used in previus surveys; thus, the clarity and cnsistency f the survey instrument have been tested and supprted. 3

14 Survey prcedure Visitr grups were greeted, briefly intrduced t the purpse f the study, and asked t participate. If visitrs agreed, they were asked which member (at least 16 years ld) had the next birthday. The individual with the next birthday was selected t cmplete the questinnaire fr the grup. An interview, lasting apprximately tw minutes, was cnducted with that persn t determine grup size, grup type, the age f the member cmpleting the questinnaire, and hw this visit t the park fit int their grup s travel plans. These individuals were asked their names, addresses, and telephne numbers r addresses in rder t mail them a reminder/thank-yu pstcard and fllw-ups. Participants were asked t cmplete the survey after their visit, and return it using the Business Reply Mail envelpe prvided. Tw weeks fllwing the survey, a reminder/thank-yu pstcard was mailed t all participants wh prvided a valid mailing address (see Table 2). Replacement questinnaires were mailed t participants wh had nt returned their questinnaires fur weeks after the survey. Seven weeks after the survey, a secnd rund f replacement questinnaires was mailed t participants wh had nt returned their questinnaires. Thirteen weeks after the survey, a third rund f replacement questinnaires was mailed t participants wh had nt returned their questinnaires. Table 2. Fllw-up mailing distributin Mailing Date U.S. Internatinal Ttal Pstcards July 3, st replacement July 18, nd replacement August 7, rd replacement September 17, Data analysis Visitr respnses were entered twice and duble-key validatin was perfrmed n numeric and shrt text respnses. The remaining checkbx (bubble) variables were read by ptical mark recgnitin (OMR) sftware. Respnses t pen-ended questins were categrized and summarized prir t data analysis. Numeric data were prcessed and descriptive statistics were calculated using Statistical Analysis Sftware (SAS). 4

15 Limitatins As with all surveys, this study has limitatins that shuld be cnsidered when interpreting the results. 1. This was a self-administered survey. Respndents cmpleted the questinnaire after their visit, which may have resulted in pr recall. Thus, it is nt pssible t knw whether visitr respnses reflected actual behavir. 2. The data reflect visitr use patterns at the selected sites during the study perid f June 12-18, The results present a snapsht in time and d nt necessarily apply t visitrs during ther times f the year. 3. Cautin is advised when interpreting any data with a sample size f less than 30, as the results may be unreliable. When the sample size is less than 30, the wrd CAUTION! is included in the graph, figure, table, r text. 4. Occasinally, there may be incnsistencies in the results. Incnsistencies arise frm missing data r incrrect answers (due t misunderstd directins, carelessness, r pr recall f infrmatin). Therefre, refer t bth the percentage and N (number f individuals r visitr grups) when interpreting the results. Special cnditins The weather during the survey perid varied frm vercast and rainy t ht and sunny. There were several instances f wind and ne late afternn strm. N special events ccurred in the area that wuld have affected the type and amunt f visitatin t the park. 5

16 Checking nn-respnse bias Five variables were used t check nn-respnse bias: participant age, grup size, grup type, park as destinatin, and participant travel distance t the park. Respndents and nn-respndents were significantly different in terms f average age and grup type and were nt different in terms f grup size, the park being the primary destinatin, and distance frm hme t the park (see Tables 3-6). The results indicate sme biases ccurred due t nnrespnse. Visitrs at yunger age ranges (especially 40 and yunger), and visitrs traveling with friends were under-represented in the survey results. See Appendix 3 fr mre details n the nn-respnse bias checking prcedures. Table 3. Cmparisn f respndents and nn-respndents by average age and grup size Variable Respndents Nn-respndents p-value (t-test) Age (years) (N=278) (N=393) <0.001 Grup size 4.94 (N=270) 5.76 (N=395) Table 4. Cmparisn f respndents and nn-respndents by grup type Grup type Respndents Nn-respndents p-value (chi-square) Alne 21 (8%) 20 (5%) Family 162 (60%) 262 (68%) Friends 20 (7%) 59 (15%) Family and friends 66 (25%) 57 (14%) <0.001 Table 5. Cmparisn f respndents and nn-respndents by primary destinatin Destinatin Respndents Nn-respndents p-value (chi-square) Park as primary destinatin Park as ne f several destinatins 234 (91%) 336 (89%) 16 (6%) 25 (7%) Unplanned visit 6 (2%) 16 (4%) Table 6. Cmparisn f respndents and nn-respndents by distance frm hme t park Distance Respndents Nn-respndents p-value (chi-square) Within 50 miles 122 (46%) 151 (43%) miles 111 (42%) 148 (43%) miles 18 (7%) 33 (10%) 201 miles r mre 13 (5%) 10 (3%) Internatinal visitrs 0 (0%) 2 (1%)

17 Grup and Visitr Characteristics Visitr grup size Questin 20b On this visit, hw many peple were in yur persnal grup, including yurself? 5 r mre N=270 visitr grups 44% 44% f visitr grups cnsisted f five r mre peple (see Figure 1). 19% were in grups f tw. Grup size % 13% 2 19% 1 7% Figure 1. Visitr grup size Visitr grup type Questin 20a On this visit, which type f persnal grup (nt guided tur/schl/ther rganized grup) were yu with? 60% f visitr grups cnsisted f family members (see Figure 2). 25% were with family and friends. Grup type Family Family and friends Alne Friends N=269 visitr grups 8% 7% 25% 60% Other 0% Figure 2. Visitr grup type

18 Visitrs with rganized grups Questin 19a On this visit, was yur persnal grup with a cmmercial guided tur grup? 1% f visitr grups were with a cmmercial guided tur grup (see Figure 3). With cmmercial guided tur grup? Yes N N=218 visitr grups 1% 99% Figure 3. Visitrs with a cmmercial guided tur grup Questin 19b On this visit, was yur persnal grup with a schl/educatinal grup? 2% f visitr grups were with a schl/educatinal grup (see Figure 4). With schl/ educatinal grup? Yes N N=216 visitr grups 2% 98% Figure 4. Visitrs with a schl/educatinal grup Questin 19c On this visit, was yur persnal grup with an ther rganized grup? 11% f visitr grups were with an ther rganized grup (see Figure 5). With ther rganized grup? N=191 visitr grups Yes 11% N 89% Other rganized grups were: By Scuts Chemical dependency treatment center Church Park guided tur Private Tribal prgram Figure 5. Visitrs with an ther rganized grup 8

19 Questin 19d If yu were with ne f these rganized grups, hw many peple, including yurself, were in this grup? Interpret with CAUTION! Nt enugh visitr grups respnded t this questin t prvide reliable results (see Figure 6). Number f peple 11 r mre 1-10 N=21 visitr grups 33% 67% CAUTION! Figure 6. Organized grup size 9

20 United States visitrs by state f residence Questin 21c Fr yur persnal grup n this visit, what is yur state f residence? Nte: Respnse was limited t seven members frm each visitr grup. U.S. visitrs were frm 14 states and cmprised almst 100% f ttal visitatin t the park during the survey perid. 89% f U.S. visitrs came frm Oklahma (see Table 7 and Figure 7). 8% came frm Texas. Smaller prprtins came frm 12 ther states. Table 7. United States visitrs by state f residence State Number f visitrs Percent f U.S. visitrs N=940 individuals* Percent f ttal visitrs N=943 individuals Oklahma Texas Kansas Nrth Carlina Indiana Iwa 4 <1 <1 Califrnia 3 <1 <1 Flrida 3 <1 <1 Nebraska 3 <1 <1 Illinis 2 <1 <1 Missuri 2 <1 <1 Arkansas 1 <1 <1 Luisiana 1 <1 <1 Wiscnsin 1 <1 <1 10% r mre 4% t 9% Alaska 2% t 3% less than 2% N = 940 individuals American Sama Guam Hawaii Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area Puert Ric Figure 7. United States visitrs by state f residence 10

21 Visitrs frm Oklahma and adjacent states by cunty f residence Nte: Respnse was limited t seven members frm each visitr grup. Visitrs frm Oklahma and adjacent states were frm 48 cunties and cmprised 96% f the ttal U.S. visitatin t the park during the survey perid. 21% came frm Oklahma Cunty, OK (see Table 8). 15% came frm Murray Cunty, OK. Small prprtins f visitrs came frm 46 ther cunties in Oklahma and adjacent states. Table 8. Visitrs frm Oklahma and adjacent states by cunty f residence Cunty, State Number f visitrs N=904 individuals Percent* Oklahma, OK Murray, OK Garvin, OK Pnttc, OK Cleveland, OK 66 7 Pttawatmie, OK 50 6 McClain, OK 27 3 Carter, OK 24 3 Stephens, OK 24 3 Canadian, OK 22 2 Grady, OK 22 2 Dentn, TX 17 2 Seminle, OK ther cunties Resident f the area Questin 2a Were all members f yur persnal grup residents f the Chickasaw NRA area (within 50 miles f the park)? Fr 37% f visitr grups, all members were residents f the area (see Figure 8). Resident f area? Yes N N=276 visitr grups 37% 63% Figure 8. Residents f the area (within 50 miles f Chickasaw NRA) 11

22 Questin 21c Fr yur persnal grup n this visit, what is yur cuntry f residence? Nte: Respnse was limited t seven members frm each visitr grup. Table 9. Internatinal visitrs by cuntry f residence CAUTION! Cuntry Number f visitrs Percent f internatinal visitrs N=3 individuals Percent f ttal visitrs N=943 individuals Suth Krea 2 67 <1 Venezuela 1 33 <1 Interpret with CAUTION! Nt enugh visitr grups respnded t this questin t prvide reliable results (see Table 9). 12

23 Number f visits t Chickasaw NRA in past 12 mnths Questin 21d Fr yur persnal grup n this visit, hw many times have yu visited Chickasaw NRA in the past 12 mnths (including this visit)? Nte: Respnse was limited t seven members frm each visitr grup. 36% f visitrs visited the park five r mre times in the past 12 mnths (see Figure 9). Number f visits 5 r mre N=870 individuals 8% 12% 13% 31% 36% 31% visited nce. 25% visited tw r three times Figure 9. Number f visits t park in past 12 mnths Number f visits t Chickasaw NRA in lifetime Questin 21e Fr yur persnal grup n this visit, hw many times have yu visited Chickasaw NRA in yur lifetime (including this visit)? Nte: Respnse was limited t seven members frm each visitr grup. 45% f visitrs visited the park 21 r mre times in their lifetime (see Figure 10). 28% visited 2-10 times. Number f visits 21 r mre N=884 individuals 11% 16% 28% % Figure 10. Number f visits t park in lifetime 13

24 Visitr age Questin 21e Fr yur persnal grup n this visit, what is yur current age? Nte: Respnse was limited t seven members frm each visitr grup. Visitr ages ranged frm 1 t 85 years. N=1090 individuals* 76 r lder 1% % % % % 27% f visitrs were 15 years r yunger (see Figure 11). 26% were 21 t 40 years ld. 21% were years ld. Age grup (years) % 7% 7% 7% 18% were 56 t 70 years ld % % % % % 10 r yunger 17% Figure 11. Visitr age Visitr gender Questin 21a Fr yur persnal grup n this visit, what is yur gender? 51% f individuals were female (see Figure 12). Gender Female Male N=1100 individuals 51% 49% Figure 12. Visitr gender

25 Language used fr speaking and reading Questin 15a When visiting an area such as Chickasaw NRA, which language(s) d mst members f yur persnal grup prefer t use fr speaking? Language English English and ther N=275 visitr grups 3% 89% 89% f visitr grups preferred English fr speaking (see Figure 13). Other languages (8%) are listed in Table 10. Other 8% Figure 13. Language preferred fr speaking Questin 15b When visiting an area such as Chickasaw NRA, which language(s) d mst members f yur persnal grup prefer t use fr reading? Language English English and ther N=251 visitr grups 2% 91% 91% f visitr grups preferred English fr reading (see Figure 14). Other languages (7%) are listed in Table 11. Other 7% Figure 14. Language preferred fr reading Table 10. Other languages preferred fr speaking (N=8 cmments) CAUTION! Table 11. Other languages preferred fr reading (N=5 cmments) CAUTION! Language Number f times mentined Language Number f times mentined Spanish 4 Chickasaw 2 Italian 1 American Sign Language 1 Spanish 3 American Sign Language 1 Chickasaw 1 15

26 Questin 15c In yur pinin, what services in the park need t be prvided in languages ther than in English? 6% f visitr grups felt there were services that need t be prvided in languages ther than English (see Figure 15). Services needed in ther languages? Yes N N=220 visitr grups 6% 94% Services that need t be prvided in languages ther than English are listed in Table 12. Figure 15. Visitr grups that felt services needed t be prvided in languages ther than English Table 12. Services needed in languages ther than English (N=8 cmments) CAUTION! Service Number f times mentined Signage 5 Emergency 1 Histrical infrmatin 1 Rangers in bats 1 16

27 Respndent husehld incme Questin 22a Fr yu nly, which categry best represents yur annual husehld incme? 25% f respndents reprted a husehld incme f $50,000-$74,999 (see Figure 16). 13% had an incme f $35,000-$49, % had an incme f $25,000-$34,999 Incme level $200,000 r mre $150,000-$199,999 $100,000-$149,999 $75,000-$99,999 $50,000-$74,999 $35,000-$49,999 $25,000-$34,999 N=261 respndents 3% 3% 12% 12% 13% 13% 25% The average incme was Less than $24,999 10% Nte: The average incme fr all U.S. husehlds ( ) was $52,762. The average incme fr all husehlds in Oklahma ( ) was $44,287 D nt wish t answer 9% Figure 16. Respndent level f incme (Retrieved frm Respndent husehld size Questin 22b Hw many peple are in yur husehld? 46% f respndents had tw peple in their husehld (see Figure 17). N=254 respndents 5 r mre 13% 4 19% 34% had three r fur peple. Number f peple 3 15% 2 46% 1 7% Figure 17. Number f peple in respndent husehld

28 Awareness f park management Questin 1 Prir t this visit, was anyne in yur persnal grup aware that Chickasaw NRA is a unit f the Natinal Park System? 82% f visitr grups were aware that Chickasaw NRA is a unit f the Natinal Park System (see Figure 18). Aware that Chickasaw NRA is NPS unit? Yes N N=277 visitr grups 18% Figure 18. Visitr grups that were aware that Chickasaw NRA is a unit f the Natinal Park System 82% 18

29 Trip/Visit Characteristics and Preferences Park as destinatin Questin frm n-site interview A tw-minute interview was cnducted with each individual selected t cmplete the questinnaire. During the interview, the questin was asked: Hw did this visit t Chickasaw NRA fit int yur persnal grup s travel plans? 90% f visitr grups said that Chickasaw NRA was their primary destinatin (see Figure 19). 6% said Chickasaw NRA was ne f several destinatins. Park as destinatin Primary destinatin One f several destinatins Nt a planned destinatin N=632 visitr grups* 6% 3% Figure 19. Hw visit t park fit int visitr grups travel plans 90% Primary destinatin Questin 9 What was yur persnal grup s primary destinatin n this trip? 78% f visitr grups indicated that Chickasaw NRA was their primary destinatin (see Figure 20). 22% indicated they had ther primary destinatins (see Table 13). Chickasaw NRA primary destinatin? Yes N N=279 visitr grups 22% 78% Figure 20. Chickasaw NRA as primary destinatin 19

30 Table 13. Other primary destinatins (N=55 cmments) Destinatin Number f times mentined Sulphur, OK 19 Davis, OK 8 Cedar Blue RV Park, Sulphur, OK 6 The Pint Campgrund, Sulphur, OK 3 Ada, OK 2 Cld Springs Campgrund, Sulphur, OK 2 Ardmre, OK 1 Durant, OK 1 Ennis, TX 1 Falls Creek Baptist Assembly, Davis, OK 1 Flwer Park, Sulphur, OK 1 Guthrie, OK 1 Lake Murray, Ardmre, OK 1 Lst Lake Ldge, Sulphur, OK 1 Nble, OK 1 Oklahma City, OK 1 Pauls Valley, OK 1 Purcell, OK 1 River Bend Cabins, Davis, OK 1 Six Flags in Texas 1 Turner Falls Park, Davis, OK 1 Chickasaw NRA as primary reasn fr visiting the area Questin 2b Was visiting Chickasaw NRA the primary reasn that nnresident members in yur persnal grup came t the area (within 50 miles f the park)? Chickasaw NRA primary reasn fr visit? N=168 visitr grups Yes N 35% 65% Fr 65% f visitr grups, visiting Chickasaw NRA was the primary reasn nn-resident grup members visited the area (see Figure 21) Figure 21. Chickasaw NRA as primary reasn fr visiting the area (within 50 miles f the park) 20

31 Questin 3a Fr yu nly, if yu had been unable t visit Chickasaw NRA n this trip, wuld yu have visited at anther time? 95% f respndents wuld have visited at anther time if they had been unable t visit Chickasaw NRA n this trip (see Figure 22). Visit at anther time? Yes, likely N, unlikely N=273 respndents 5% Figure 22. Respndents wh wuld have visited at anther time 95% Questin 3b If NO, what wuld yu have dne with the time yu spent n this trip? Nt sure N=14 respndents 50% Interpret results with CAUTION! Nt enugh visitr grups respnded t this questin t prvide reliable results (see Figure 23). Hw time wuld have been spent Gne smewhere else Vacatined at hme 29% 21% Gne t wrk at my regular jb 0% CAUTION! Figure 23. Respndent chice f hw t spend time Questin 3b What is the distance frm hme t alternate site? 201 r mre N=5 respndents 20% Interpret results with CAUTION! Nt enugh visitr grups respnded t this questin t prvide reliable results (see Figure 24). Number f miles % CAUTION! 60% Figure 24. Distance f alternate site frm hme 21

32 Services used in gateway cmmunities Questin 7a Which services, specifically related t this park visit, did yur persnal grup use in the gateway cmmunities f Sulphur, Davis, Ada, and Ardmre? 75% f visitr grups used services in gateway cmmunities n this visit (see Figure 25). As shwn in Figure 26, the services mst cmmnly used were: 73% Buy gasline 69% Eat a meal 57% Shp Other services (7%) were: Used services? Yes N N=265 visitr grups Figure 25. Visitr grups that used services Buy gasline Eat a meal 25% N=198 visitr grups** 75% 73% 69% Access t a lcked vehicle Bat permit Bat service Chickasaw Cultural Center Hspital Ice Ice Huse Swimming Wi-fi at Sulphur Public Library Service Shp Obtain infrmatin abut Chickasaw NRA Stay vernight in RV park/ campgrund Obtain ther travel/turism infrmatin 27% 22% 21% 57% Stay vernight in htel, mtel, etc. 9% Other 7% Figure 26. Services used in gateway cmmunities 22

33 Questin 7b D yu have any cmments abut the abve services? 36 visitr grups had cmments abut services (see Table 14). Table 14. Cmments abut services in gateway cmmunities (N=50 cmments; sme visitr grups made mre than ne cmment) Service Buy gasline Eat a meal Obtain infrmatin abut Chickasaw NRA Obtain ther travel/turism infrmatin Shp Stay vernight in a htel, mtel, etc. Cmment Adequate Need an n-water gas statin Ease f pulling thrugh In Sulphur Need lcatin clser t the lake Adequate Braums in Sulphur great ice cream Friendly peple Gd Gd fd clse t parks Great Many ptins Mazzis, gd ht fd and very friendly Need fd n the lake Need mre restaurant chices Variety f restaurants/fd Very gd N ne culd tell us t where make campsite reservatins Park rangers Ranger statin very helpful getting ur bating pass Rangers were very nice/helpful N help Very helpful and friendly At nature center in Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area Clerk rude/attitude Cnvenient Day trade Dllar General needs ice and batteries Fund what I wanted Lve the ice huse Need ice sales lcatin clser t the lake Smething t refresh Sner Fds cnvenient and clean Stres in Sulphur cnvenient fr fd and camp supplies Truck/self service ice Wal-Mart, bught what I needed Cmfrtable, affrdable 23

34 Table 14. Cmments abut services in gateway cmmunities (cntinued) Service Other Cmment D nt like prta-ptties Everyne is s curteus and helpful Grass was nt cut Lake needs a marina Need laundrmat clser t lake Ranger was truly appreciated fr lcksmith services The bathrm was filthy Several places t visit/enjy 24

35 Questin 7c What services, if any, did yur persnal grup need that were nt available in these cmmunities? 39 visitr grups listed services they needed but were nt available (see Table 15). Table 15. Services needed that were nt available (N=46 cmments; sme visitr grups made mre than ne cmment) Needed service Number f times mentined Marina at lake 3 Shwers 3 Electrical hkups fr RVs 2 Gas near lake r n water 2 Imprved bathrms 2 Mre picnic tables 2 Place t buy fd, water, drinks, etc. 2 Arts 1 Available campgrund hst 1 Bating services 1 Buys yu can tie yur bat t like Lake Murray 1 Chickasaw Cultural Center clsed n Mndays! 1 Dry ice 1 Fish cleaning statin 1 Free wi-fi 1 Guy Sandy bat ramp 1 Handicap access fr fishing at lake 1 Handicap access t cld water 1 Infrmatin center 1 Mre hands-n nature experiences 1 Mre htels 1 Mre places t eat in Davis and Sulphur 1 Mre places t shp in Davis and Sulphur 1 Oklahma maps 1 Play area fr kids 1 Restrms clser t bat dck n Lake Arbuckle 1 Self-serve ice 1 Shpping 1 Signage 1 Smkin Jes 1 Stre n r near water 1 Tac Bell 1 Tennis facility 1 Trnad alert system at Buckhrn campgrund 1 Water funtain 1 Wi-fi 1 Wrkut area/gym 1 25

36 Number f vehicles Questin 20c On this visit, hw many vehicles did yur persnal grup use t arrive at the park? 4 r mre N=264 visitr grups* 9% 58% f visitr grups used ne vehicle t arrive at the park (see Figure 27). 24% used tw vehicles. Number f vehicles % 24% 1 58% Figure 27. Number f vehicles used t arrive at the park Methd f transprtatin Questin 2c Fr nnresident members in yur persnal grup, what was the methd f transprtatin used t travel mst f the distance frm hme t the Chickasaw NRA area (within 50 miles f the park)? 54% f nnresidents used a car t travel mst f the distance frm hme t the Chickasaw NRA area (see Figure 28). 41% used a SUV/truck/van. Other methd f transprtatin (1%) was: Travel trailer Methd f transprtatin Car SUV/truck/van Mtrhme Mtrcycle Airplane Other N=160 visitr grups 2% 1% 1% 1% Figure 28. Methd f transprtatin 41% 54%

37 Use f recreatinal vehicles Questin 10a On this visit, did yur persnal grup drive a recreatinal vehicle t Chickasaw NRA? 6% f visitr grups drve a recreatinal vehicle t Chickasaw NRA (see Figure 29). Drve a recreatinal vehicle? Yes N N=235 visitr grups 6% 94% Figure 29. Visitr grups that drve a recreatinal vehicle Questin 10b If YES, hw lng was it? Interpret results with CAUTION! Nt enugh visitr grups respnded t this questin t prvide reliable results (see Figure 30). Vehicle length (ft) N=10 visitr grups 36 r mre 20% CAUTION! % % Figure 30. Recreatinal vehicle length 27

38 Questin 10c On this visit, was anyne in yur persnal grup in a vehicle r recreatinal vehicle pulling a trailer r anther vehicle? 35% f visitr grups traveled in a vehicle r a recreatinal vehicle pulling a trailer r anther vehicle (see Figure 31). Pulled trailer/ ther vehicle? Yes N N=265 visitr grups 35% 65% Figure 31. Visitr grups that traveled in a vehicle r recreatinal vehicle pulling a trailer r anther vehicle Questin 10d If YES, hw lng was the vehicle in tw? 36 r mre N=80 visitr grups* 6% 53% f visitr grups pulled a trailer r ther vehicle 16 t 25 feet in length (see Figure 32). 28% pulled a trailer r ther vehicle feet in length. Trailer/ vehicle length (ft) % 28% 53% Figure 32. Trailer/vehicle length

39 Number f park entries Questin 20d On this visit, hw many times did yur persnal grup enter Chickasaw NRA during yur stay in the area (within 50 miles f the park)? 49% f visitr grups entered the park ne time (see Figure 33). Number f entries 5 r mre 4 3 N=248 visitr grups 8% 10% 14% 29% entered tw r three times. 2 19% 1 49% Figure 33. Number f park entries Overnight stays Questin 6a On this trip, did anyne in yur persnal grup stay vernight away frm their permanent residence either inside Chickasaw NRA r in the nearby area (within 50 miles f the park)? Stayed vernight? Yes N N=277 visitr grups 49% 51% 49% f visitr grups stayed vernight away frm their permanent residence either inside Chickasaw NRA r in the nearby area (see Figure 34) Figure 34. Visitr grups that stayed vernight inside the park r in the park area (within 50 miles f the park) 29

40 Questin 6b If YES, hw many nights were spent inside Chickasaw NRA? 4 r mre N=74 visitr grups 26% 36% f visitr grups stayed tw nights inside Chickasaw NRA (see Figure 35). Number f nights % 36% 26% stayed fur r mre nights. 1 15% Figure 35. Number f nights spent inside the park Questin 6b If YES, hw many nights were spent utside the park in the area (within 50 miles f the park)? 4 r mre N=59 visitr grups 32% 32% f visitr grups stayed fur r mre nights utside the park in the area (see Figure 36). Number f nights % 29% 29% stayed tw nights. 1 14% Figure 36. Number f nights spent in the area utside the park (within 50 miles f the park) 30

41 Accmmdatins used inside the park Questin 6c In which types f accmmdatins did yur persnal grup spend the night(s) in Chickasaw NRA? As shwn in Figure 37, amng thse visitr grups that stayed vernight inside the park, the mst cmmn types f accmmdatins used were: Accmmdatin N=71 visitr grups** Tent camping in develped campgrund RV/trailer camping Ldge, htel, mtel, vacatin rental, B&B, etc. Other 4% 1% 42% 59% % Tent camping in a develped campgrund 42% RV/trailer camping Figure 37. Accmmdatins used inside the park Other accmmdatins (1%) were nt specified. Accmmdatins used utside the park Questin 6d In which types f accmmdatins did yur persnal grup spend the night(s) in the area within 50 miles f the park? As shwn in Figure 38, amng thse visitr grups that stayed vernight utside the park, the mst cmmn types f accmmdatins used were: Accmmdatin N=68 visitr grups** Ldge, htel, mtel, vacatin rental, B&B, etc. Residence f friends r relatives Persnal seasnal residence RV/trailer camping Tent camping in develped campgrund Other 1% 1% 21% 26% 29% 28% 29% Ldge, htel, mtel, vacatin rental, B&B etc. 28% Residence f friends r relatives Other type f accmmdatin (1%) was: Figure 38. Accmmdatins used in the area utside the park (within 50 miles f the park) Cabin 31

42 Length f stay in the park Questin 4 Hw lng did yur persnal grup spend visiting Chickasaw NRA? 7 r mre N=170 visitr grups 16% Number f hurs if less than 24 31% f visitr grups spent three t fur hurs (see Figure 39). 29% spent up t tw hurs. Number f hurs Up t 2 24% 31% 29% The average length f stay fr visitr grups that spent less than 24 hurs was 4.3 hurs Figure 39. Number f hurs spent in the park Number f days if 24 hurs r mre N=96 visitr grups* 38% f visitr grups spent tw days (see Figure 40). 23% spent three days. 5 r mre 4 17% 17% The average length f stay fr visitr grups that spent 24 hurs r mre was 3.5 days. Number f days 3 23% 2 38% Average length f stay fr all visitrs The average length f stay fr all visitr grups was 33.1 hurs, r 1.4 days. 1 6% Figure 40. Number f days spent in the park 32

43 Sites visited in the park (Platt District) Questin 11 Fr this visit, please indicate all the sites yur persnal grup visited at Chickasaw NRA. As shwn in Figure 41, the mst cmmnly visited sites by visitr grups in the Platt District were: Little Niagara Travertine Nature Center Swimming areas withut lifeguards Picnic areas N=202 visitr grups** 48% 59% 55% 67% 67% Little Niagara 59% Travertine Nature Center 55% Swimming areas withut lifeguards Hiking trails Buffal Springs Bisn Pasture 47% 41% 39% The least visited site was: 14% Ranger statins Site Campgrunds Veterans Lake 37% 35% Other sites visited in the Platt District (7%) are shwn in Table 16. Antelpe Springs Pavilin Springs 33% 32% Black Sulphur Springs 24% Bat launches 22% Histric buildings 15% Ranger statins 14% Other 7% Figure 41. Sites visited in the park (Platt District) Table 3 Other sites visited in the park (Platt District) (N=13 cmments) CAUTION Site Number f times mentined Flwer Park 2 Beach 1 Bear Falls 1 Brmide Hill Outlk 1 Brmide Pavilins 1 Cedar Blue 1 Lincln Bridge Waterfalls 1 Mnkey tree 1 Muntain 1 Rck Creek 1 Turner Falls 1 Whle pl area 1 33

44 Sites visited in the park (Arbuckle District) As shwn in Figure 42, the mst cmmnly visited sites by visitr grups in the Arbuckle District were: 58% Lake f the Arbuckles 49% Buckhrn 47% Bat launches The least visited site was: 4% Gddard Yuth Camp N=202 visitr grups** Lake f the Arbuckles Buckhrn Bat launches Swimming areas withut lifeguards The Pint Guy Sandy 39% 38% 49% 47% 45% 58% Other sites visited in the Arbuckle District (<1%) were nt specified. Site Picnic areas Campgrunds Arbuckle Dam 29% 26% 21% Hiking trails 15% Overlk 12% Eagle Bay 9% Ranger statins 7% Histric buildings 5% Gddard Yuth Camp 4% Other <1% Figure 42. Sites visited in the park (Arbuckle District) 34

45 Activities n this visit Questin 5a On this visit, in which activities did yur persnal grup participate within Chickasaw NRA? N=270 visitr grups** Swimming Walking/hiking 49% 66% As shwn in Figure 43, the mst cmmn activities in which visitr grups participated n this visit were: 66% Swimming 49% Walking/hiking 40% Picnicking Other activities (10%) were: Activity Picnicking Bating Fishing Camping Nature study (birdwatching, etc.) Waterskiing 40% 36% 36% 30% 26% 17% Arbuckle Lake Birthday party Checking lake level Mnthly wmen s meeting Mtrcycling Passing by Relaxing Seeing lake Sightseeing Taking daughter-in-law t see park Tubing Using cmfrt statin Using recycle bins Visiting Nature Center Visiting ld Platt Natinal Park Creative arts Family reunin Attending ranger-led talks/prgrams Biking Junir Ranger prgram Hunting Other 6% 6% 4% <1% 9% 8% 10% Figure 43. Activities n this visit 35

46 Activity that was primary reasn fr visiting the park Questin 5c Which ne f the abve activities was the primary reasn yur persnal grup visited Chickasaw NRA n this visit? Camping Bating N=249 visitr grups* 22% 22% As shwn in Figure 45, the mst cmmn primary reasns that visitr grups visited the park were: Swimming Walking/hiking Fishing 9% 9% 15% 22% Camping 22% Bating 15% Swimming Other activities (8%) were: Picnicking Family reunin Activity Nature study (birdwatching, etc.) Biking 5% 4% 3% 1% Birthday party Check lake level Meet family Mnthly wmen s meeting Mtrcycling See the area See the lake Sightseeing Visit Visiting ld Platt Natinal Park Use the recycle bins Water recreatin Waterskiing Junir Ranger prgram Hunting Creative arts Attending ranger-led talks/prgrams Other 1% <1% 0% 0% 0% 8% Figure 44. Activity that was primary reasn fr visit 36

47 Activities n future visits Questin 5b If yu were t visit the park in the future, in which activities wuld yur persnal grup prefer t participate within the park? As shwn in Figure 44, the mst cmmn activities in which visitr grups wuld prefer t participate n future visits were: 66% Swimming 58% Camping 57% Walking/hiking Other activities (1%) were: Furth f July Visiting mineral springs Activity Swimming Camping Walking/hiking Fishing Picnicking Bating Nature study (birdwatching, etc.) Attending ranger-led talks/prgrams Waterskiing Family reunin Biking N=229 visitr grups** 24% 24% 22% 30% 38% 44% 58% 57% 56% 53% 66% Creative arts Junir Ranger prgram Hunting 16% 11% 21% Other 1% Figure 45. Activities n future visits

48 Ratings f Services, Facilities, Attributes, Resurces, and Elements Infrmatin services and facilities used Questin 12a Please indicate all the infrmatin services and facilities that yur persnal grup used at Chickasaw NRA during this visit. Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) Nature Center living exhibits N=163 visitr grups** 54% 52% As shwn in Figure 46, the mst cmmn infrmatin services and facilities used by visitr grups were: 54% Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) 52% Nature Center living exhibits 51% Park brchure/map The least used service/facility was: 7% Ranger-led turs/prgrams Service/ facility Park brchure/map Assistance frm park staff Nature Center infrmatin desk Trailhead bulletin bards/signs Nature Center sales items Self-guided trail brchures/bklets Park website 51% 45% 37% 29% 28% 25% 21% Visitr infrmatin at Sulphur Chamber f Cmmerce 17% Rving rangers 14% Trailside/radside exhibits 12% Junir Ranger prgram 9% Vides/films 8% Ranger-led turs/prgrams 7% Figure 46. Infrmatin services and facilities used 38

49 Imprtance ratings f infrmatin services and facilities Questin 12b Fr nly thse services and facilities that yur persnal grup used, please rate their imprtance t yur visit frm =Nt at all imprtant 2=Slightly imprtant 3=Mderately imprtant 4=Very imprtant 5=Extremely imprtant Park brchure/map Nature Center infrmatin desk Park website Self-guided trail brchures/bklets N=number f visitr grups 83%, N=73 83%, N=54 82%, N=34 80%, N=35 Figure 47 shws the cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings f infrmatin services and facilities that were rated by 30 r mre visitr grups. Table 17 shws the imprtance ratings f each service and facility. The services and facilities receiving the highest cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings were: 83% Park brchure/map 83% Nature Center infrmatin desk 82% Park website ( Service/ facility Assistance frm park staff Trailhead bulletin bards/signs Nature Center living exhibits Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) Nature Center sales items 42%, N=43 76%, N=66 73%, N=44 73%, N=79 71%, N= Prprtin f respndents Figure 47. Cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings f infrmatin services and facilities The service/facility receiving the highest nt at all imprtant rating that was rated by 30 r mre visitr grups was: 2% Nature Center sales items 39

50 Table 17. Imprtance ratings f infrmatin services and facilities (N=number f visitr grups) Service/facility N Nt at all imprtant Slightly imprtant Rating (%)* Mderately imprtant Very imprtant Extremely imprtant Assistance frm park staff Junir Ranger prgram CAUTION! Nature Center living exhibits Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) Nature Center infrmatin desk Nature Center sales items Park brchure/map Park website (www. nps.gv/chic) Ranger-led turs/prgrams CAUTION! Rving rangers CAUTION! Self-guided trail brchures/bklets Trailhead bulletin bards/signs Trailside/radside exhibits CAUTION! Vides/films CAUTION! Visitr infrmatin at Sulphur Chamber f Cmmerce CAUTION!

51 Quality ratings f infrmatin services and facilities Questin 12c Fr nly thse services and facilities that yur persnal grup used, please rate their quality frm 1-5. Assistance frm park staff N=number f visitr grups 92%, N=68 1=Very pr 2=Pr 3=Average 4=Gd 5=Very gd Park website Park brchure/map 88%, N=33 88%, N=72 Figure 48 shws the cmbined prprtins f very gd and gd ratings f infrmatin services and facilities that were rated by 30 r mre visitr grups. The services and facilities receiving the highest cmbined prprtins f very gd and gd ratings were: 92% Assistance frm park staff 88% Park website ( 88% Park brchure/map Service/ facility Nature Center infrmatin desk Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) Trailhead bulletin bards/signs Nature Center living exhibits Nature Center sales items Self-guided trail brchures/bklets 85%, N=53 81%, N=76 78%, N=42 77%, N=74 61%, N=41 55%, N=34 Table 18 shws the quality ratings f each service and facility. The service/facility receiving the highest very pr rating that was rated by 30 r mre visitr grups was: Prprtin f respndents Figure 48. Cmbined prprtins f very gd and gd ratings f infrmatin services and facilities 5% Nature Center living exhibits 41

52 Table 18. Quality ratings f infrmatin services and facilities (N=number f visitr grups) Rating (%)* Service/facility N Very pr Pr Average Gd Very gd Assistance frm park staff Junir Ranger prgram CAUTION! Nature Center living exhibits Nature Center exhibits (ther than living) Nature Center infrmatin desk Nature Center sales items Park brchure/map Park website (www. nps.gv/chic) Ranger-led turs/prgrams CAUTION! Rving rangers CAUTION! Self-guided trail brchures/bklets Trailhead bulletin bards/signs Trailside/radside exhibits CAUTION! Vides/films CAUTION! Visitr infrmatin at Sulphur Chamber f Cmmerce CAUTION!

53 Mean scres f imprtance and quality ratings f infrmatin services and facilities Figures 49 and 50 shw the mean scres f imprtance and quality ratings f infrmatin services and facilities that were rated by 30 r mre visitr grups. All infrmatin services and facilities were rated abve average in imprtance and quality. Figure 49. Mean scres f imprtance and quality f infrmatin services and facilities Figure 50. Detail f Figure 49 43

54 Visitr services and facilities used Questin 13a Please indicate all the visitr services and facilities that yur persnal grup used at Chickasaw NRA during this visit. Restrms Parking N=258 visitr grups** 72% 69% As shwn in Figure 51, the mst cmmn visitr services and facilities used by visitr grups were: Directinal signs (in park) Bat launches 47% 39% 72% Restrms 69% Parking 47% Directinal signs (in park) Day use areas Picnic areas 38% 38% The least used service/facility was: 5% Access fr disabled persns Service/ facility Campgrunds Hiking/biking trails Prtable tilets/ pit tilets 36% 35% 29% Directinal signs (utside park) 28% Park verlks/ scenic views 27% Ranger statins Access fr disabled persns 5% 10% Figure 51. Visitr services and facilities used 44

55 Imprtance ratings f visitr services and facilities Questin 13b Fr nly thse services and facilities that yur persnal grup used, please rate their imprtance t yur visit frm 1-5. Bat launches Campgrunds N=number f visitr grups 100%, N=89 99%, N=82 1=Nt at all imprtant 2=Slightly imprtant 3=Mderately imprtant 4=Very imprtant 5=Extremely imprtant Hiking/biking trails Restrms 96%, N=79 95%, N=163 Figure 52 shws the cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings f visitr services and facilities that were rated by 30 r mre visitr grups. Service/ facility Prtable tilets/ pit tilets Day use areas Parking 93%, N=66 93%, N=90 92%, N=156 The visitr services and facilities receiving the highest cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings were: 100% Bat launches 99% Campgrunds 96% Hiking/biking trails Table 19 shws the imprtance ratings f each service and facility. N services/facilities were given a nt at all imprtant rating. Picnic areas Directinal signs (in park) Park verlks/ scenic views Directinal signs (utside park) Prprtin f respndents 91%, N=88 90%, N=106 87%, N=65 87%, N=60 Figure 52. Cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings f visitr services and facilities 45

56 Table 19. Imprtance ratings f visitr services and facilities (N=number f visitr grups) Service/facility Access fr disabled persns CAUTION! N Nt at all imprtant Slightly imprtant Rating (%)* Mderately imprtant Very imprtant Extremely imprtant Bat launches Campgrunds Day use areas Directinal signs (in park) Directinal signs (utside park) Hiking/biking trails Parking Park verlks/scenic views Picnic areas Prtable tilets/pit tilets Ranger statins CAUTION! Restrms

57 Quality ratings f visitr services and facilities Questin 13c Fr nly thse services and facilities that yur persnal grup used, please rate their quality frm =Very pr 2=Pr 3=Average 4=Gd 5=Very gd Bat launches Hiking/biking trails Day use areas Parking N=number f visitr grups 96%, N=89 95%, N=73 90%, N=82 89%, N=149 Figure 53 shws the cmbined prprtins f very gd and gd ratings f visitr services and facilities that were rated by 30 r mre visitr grups. Service/ facility Campgrunds Park verlks/ scenic views Picnic areas 89%, N=81 87%, N=59 85%, N=79 The services and facilities receiving the highest cmbined prprtins f very gd and gd ratings were: 96% Bat launches 95% Hiking/biking trails 90% Day use areas Table 20 shws the quality ratings f each service and facility. The service/facility receiving the highest very pr rating that was rated by 30 r mre visitr grups was: Directinal signs (in park) Directinal signs (utside park) Restrms Prtable tilets/ pit tilets 73%, N=154 55%, N=67 77%, N= Prprtin f respndents 85%, N=101 Figure 53. Cmbined prprtins f very gd and gd ratings f visitr services and facilities 6% Restrms 47

58 Table 4. Quality ratings f visitr services and facilities (N=number f visitr grups) Rating (%)* Service/facility N Very pr Pr Average Gd Very gd Access fr disabled persns CAUTION! Bat launches Campgrunds Day use areas Directinal signs (in park) Directinal signs (utside park) Hiking/biking trails Parking Park verlks/scenic views Picnic areas Prtable tilets/pit tilets Ranger statins CAUTION! Restrms

59 Mean scres f imprtance and quality ratings f visitr services and facilities Figures 54 and 55 shw the mean scres f imprtance and quality ratings f visitr services and facilities that were rated by 30 r mre visitr grups. All visitr services and facilities were rated abve average in imprtance and quality. Figure 54. Mean scres f imprtance and quality f visitr services and facilities Figure 55. Detail f Figure 54 49

60 Imprtance f prtecting park attributes, resurces, and experiences Questin 8 It is the Natinal Park Service s respnsibility t prtect Chickasaw NRA s natural, scenic, and cultural resurces while at the same time prviding fr public enjyment. Hw imprtant is prtectin f the fllwing park resurces/attributes t yur persnal grup? 1=Nt at all imprtant 2=Slightly imprtant 3=Mderately imprtant 4=Very imprtant 5=Extremely imprtant As shwn in Figure 56, the highest cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings f prtecting park resurces and attributes included: Resurce/ attribute Clean water Clean air (visibility) Recreatinal pprtunities Natural quiet/ sunds f nature Native wildlife Slitude Native plants Histric sites and buildings Endangered species N=number f visitr grups 74%, N=270 70%, N=274 66%, N=273 65%, N=269 98%, N=275 92%, N=276 85%, N=273 80%, N=275 79%, N=273 98% Clean water 92% Clean air (visibility) 85% Recreatinal pprtunities Dark starry night sky American Indian culture 62%, N=271 61%, N=275 The resurces/attributes receiving the highest nt at all imprtant rating were: 7% Educatinal pprtunities 7% American Indian culture Table 21 shws the imprtance ratings f park resurces and attributes. Educatinal pprtunities 51%, N= Prprtin f respndents Figure 56. Cmbined prprtins f extremely imprtant and very imprtant ratings f prtecting park resurces and attributes 50

61 Table 21. Visitr rating f imprtance f prtecting park resurces and attributes (N=number f visitr grups) Resurce/attribute N Nt at all imprtant Slightly imprtant Rating (%)* Mderately imprtant Very imprtant Extremely imprtant Clean air (visibility) Clean water 275 <1 < Dark starry night sky Educatinal pprtunities Endangered species Histric sites and buildings Native plants Native wildlife Natural quiet/sunds f nature American Indian culture Recreatinal pprtunities Slitude

62 Expenditures Ttal expenditures inside and utside the park Questin 16 Fr yur persnal grup, please estimate expenditures fr the items listed belw fr this visit t Chickasaw NRA and the surrunding area (within 50 miles f the park). $301 r mre $201-$300 N=260 visitr grups 8% 15% 31% f visitr grups spent $1-$100 (see Figure 57). 29% spent n mney. Amunt spent $101-$200 $1-$100 17% 31% 23% spent $201 r mre Spent n mney 29% The average visitr grup expenditure was $187. The median grup expenditure (50% grups spent mre and 50% f grups spent less) was $68. The average ttal expenditure per persn (per capita) was $51. As shwn in Figure 58, the largest prprtins f ttal expenditures inside and utside the park were: 27% Grceries and takeut fd 21% Ldge, htel, mtel, cabin, B&B, etc. 19% Gas and il Figure 57. Ttal expenditures inside and utside the park (within 50 miles f the park) Admissin, recreatin, entertainment fees (2%) All ther expenditures (6%) Ldge, htel, mtel cabin, B&B, etc. (21%) Camping fees and charges (10%) N=260 visitr grups Bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees (1%) Other transprtatin expenses (1%) Gas and il (19%) Grceries and takeut fd (27%) Guide fees and charges (0%) Restaurants and bars (13%) Figure 58. Prprtins f ttal expenditures inside and utside the park (within 50 miles f the park) 52

63 Number f adults cvered by expenditures Questin 16c Hw many adults (18 years r lder) d these expenses cver? 5 r mre N=214 visitr grups 16% 45% f visitr grups had tw adults cvered by expenditures (see Figure 59). 28% had three r fur adults cvered by expenditures. Number f adults % 14% 2 45% 1 11% Figure 59. Number f adults cvered by expenditures Number f children cvered by expenditures Questin 16c Hw many children (under 18 years) d these expenses cver? 4 r mre N=207 visitr grups 14% 37% f visitr grups had n children cvered by expenditures (see Figure 60). 36% had ne r tw children cvered by expenditures. Number f children % 14% 22% 0 37% Figure 60. Number f children cvered by expenditures 53

64 Expenditures inside the park Questin 16a Please list yur persnal grup s ttal expenditures inside Chickasaw NRA. 57% f visitr grups spent n mney inside the park (see Figure 61). Amunt spent N=213 visitr grups* $101 r mre 8% $51-$100 8% $1-$50 26% 26% spent $1-$50. Spent n mney 57% The average visitr grup expenditure inside the park was $35. The median grup expenditure (50% f grups spent mre and 50% f grups spent less) was $0. The average ttal expenditure per persn (per capita) was $20. As shwn in Figure 62, the largest prprtins f ttal expenditures inside the park were: 47% Camping fees and charges 34% Grceries and takeut fd 10% All ther purchases Figure 61. Ttal expenditures inside the park Grceries and takeut fd (34%) Bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees (4%) Admissin, recreatin, entertainment fees (<1%) N=213 visitr grups* Restaurants and bars (5%) Camping fees and charges (47%) All ther purchases (10%) Figure 62. Prprtins f ttal expenditures inside the park 54

65 Camping fees and charges 70% f visitr grups spent n mney n camping fees and charges inside the park (see Figure 63). 16% spent $1-$40. Amunt spent $41 r mre $21-$40 $1-$20 N=184 visitr grups 14% 9% 7% Spent n mney 70% Figure 63. Expenditures fr camping fees and charges inside the park Restaurants and bars 95% f visitr grups spent n mney n restaurants and bars inside the park (see Figure 64). Amunt spent $21 r mre $1-$20 N=144 visitr grups* 3% 1% Spent n mney 95% Figure 64. Expenditures fr restaurants and bars inside the park 55

66 Grceries and takeut fd 88% f visitr grups spent n mney n grceries and takeut fd inside the park (see Figure 65). 8% spent $41 r mre. Amunt spent $41 r mre $21-$40 $1-$20 N=151 visitr grups 8% 3% 1% Spent n mney 88% Figure 65. Expenditures fr grceries and takeut fd inside the park Bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees 82% f visitr grups spent n mney n bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees inside the park (see Figure 66). Amunt spent $21 r mre $1-$20 N=164 visitr grups 3% 15% 15% spent $1-$20. Spent n mney 82% Figure 66. Expenditures fr bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees inside the park Admissin, recreatin, and entertainment fees N=143 visitr grups 98% f visitr grups spent n mney n admissin, recreatin, and entertainment fees inside the park (see Figure 67). Amunt spent Up t $12 Spent n mney 2% 98% 2% spent up t $ Figure 67. Expenditures fr admissin, recreatin, and entertainment fees inside the park 56

67 All ther expenditures (suvenirs, bks, pstcards, sprting gds, clthing, dnatins, etc.) $21 r mre N=158 visitr grups* 4% 84% f visitr grups spent n mney n ther expenditures inside the park (see Figure 68). 11% spent $1-$20. Amunt spent $1-$20 Spent n mney 11% 84% Figure 68. All ther expenditures inside the park 57

68 Expenditures utside the park Questin 16b Please list yur persnal grup s ttal expenditures in the surrunding area utside the park (within 50 miles f the park). 30% f visitr grups spent $1-$100 (see Figure 69). Amunt spent N=221 visitr grups* $301 r mre 13% $201-$300 8% $101-$200 19% 29% spent n mney. 19% spent $101-$200. The average visitr grup expenditure utside the park was $186. The median grup expenditure (50% f grups spent mre and 50% f grups spent less) was $70. The average ttal expenditure per persn (per capita) was $61. As shwn in Figure 70, the largest prprtins f ttal expenditures utside the park were: 26% Grceries and takeut fd 25% Ldge, htel, mtel, cabin, B&B, etc. 22% Gas and il $1-$100 Spent n mney Figure 69. Ttal expenditures utside the park (within 50 miles f the park) Ldge, htel, mtel cabin, B&B, etc. (25%) Camping fees and charges (3%) Guide fees and charges (0%) Restaurants and bars (15%) N=221 visitr grups 30% 29% All ther expenditures (5%) Admissin, recreatin, entertainment fees (2%) Bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees (1%) Other transprtatin expenses (1%) Gas and il (22%) Grceries and takeut fd (26%) Figure 70. Prprtins f ttal expenditures utside the park (within 50 miles f the park) 58

69 Ldge, htel, mtel, cabin, B&B, etc. N=121 visitr grups 85% f visitr grups spent n mney n ldging utside the park (see Figure 71). 9% spent $201 r mre. Amunt spent $201 r mre $1-$200 Spent n mney 9% 6% 85% Figure 71. Expenditures fr ldging utside the park Camping fees and charges 95% f visitr grups spent n mney n camping fees and charges utside the park (see Figure 72). 5% spent $80 r mre. Amunt spent $80 r mre Spent n mney N=111 visitr grups 5% 95% Figure 72. Expenditures fr camping fees and charges utside the park Guide fees and charges 100% f visitr grups spent n mney n guide fees and charges utside the park. 59

70 Restaurants and bars 50% f visitr grups spent n mney n restaurants and bars utside the park (see Figure 73). 28% spent $1-$40. Amunt spent $61 r mre $41-$60 $21-$40 N=161 visitr grups 13% 9% 19% $1-$20 9% Spent n mney 50% Figure 73. Expenditures fr restaurants and bars utside the park Grceries and takeut fd N=176 visitr grups 43% f visitr grups spent n mney n grceries and takeut fd utside the park (see Figure 74). 35% spent $41 r mre. Amunt spent $41 r mre $21-$40 $1-$20 11% 11% 35% Spent n mney 43% Figure 74. Expenditures fr grceries and takeut fd utside the park 60

71 Gas and il (aut, RV, bat, etc.) N=194 visitr grups 37% f visitr grups spent n mney n gas and il utside the park (see Figure 75). 32% spent $21-$60. $26 spent $61 r mre. Amunt spent $61 r mre $41-$60 $21-$40 17% 15% 26% $1-$20 5% Spent n mney 37% Figure 75. Expenditures fr gas and il utside the park Other transprtatin (rental cars, taxis, aut repairs, but NOT airfare) 96% f visitr grups spent n mney n ther transprtatin utside the park (see Figure 76). Amunt spent $20 r mre Spent n mney N=107 visitr grups 4% 96% 4% spent $20 r mre Figure 76. Expenditures fr ther transprtatin utside the park Bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees N=116 visitr grups* 91% f visitr grups spent n mney n bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees utside the park (see Figure 77). Amunt spent $21 r mre $1-$20 3% 5% 5% spent $1-$20. Spent n mney 91% Figure 77. Expenditures fr bat, kayak, cane rental and launch fees utside the park

72 Admissin, recreatin, and entertainment fees N=119 visitr grups 88% f visitr grups spent n mney n recreatin, and entertainment fees utside the park (see Figure 78). 7% spent $1-$20. Amunt spent $21 r mre $1-$20 Spent n mney 5% 7% 88% Figure 78. Expenditures fr admissin, recreatin, and entertainment fees utside the park All ther expenditures (suvenirs, bks, pstcards, sprting gds, clthing, dnatins, etc.) 78% f visitr grups spent n mney n all ther expenditures utside the park (see Figure 79). 12% spent $41 r mre. 9% spent $1-$40. Amunt spent $41 r mre $21-$40 $1-$20 Spent n mney N=125 visitr grups* 2% 7% 12% % Figure 79. All ther expenditures utside the park 62

73 Incme frgne t make this trip Questin 22c Hw much incme did yur husehld frg t make this trip (due t taking unpaid time ff frm wrk)? 30% f respndents had frgne incme t make this trip (see Figure 80). 36% f respndents frwent $101-$200 (see Figure 81). Incme frgne? Yes N N=267 respndents 30% Figure 80. Incme frgne t make this trip 70% 26% frwent $1-$ % frwent $301 r mre. $301 r mre N=42 respndents 26% Amunt frgne $201-$300 $101-$200 12% 36% $1-$100 26% Figure 81. Amunt f incme frgne 63

74 Preferences fr Future Visits Cmmercial services available fr future visit Questin 17 If yu were t visit Chickasaw NRA in the future, which cmmercial services wuld yur persnal grup like t have available? 72% f visitr grups were interested in using cmmercial services n a future visit (see Figure 82). Interested in cmmercial services? Yes N N=262 visitr grups 28% 72% As shwn in Figure 83, f thse visitr grups that were interested in using cmmercial services, the mst cmmn services were: 46% Sit-dwn restaurant 46% Bait/tackle shp 39% Marina services Figure 82. Visitr grups interested in using cmmercial services Sit-dwn restaurant Bait/tackle shp N=188 visitr grups** 46% 46% Other services (4%) were: Child play area Dry ice Ice Laundrmat Shwers Marina services Takeut fd service Hrseback riding 39% 36% 36% Service Cabin r ldge Small bat rental (cane/kayak) Camper stre 26% 36% 34% Bike rentals 26% Mtrbat rental 20% Bat turs 13% Other 4% Figure 83. Services t use n a future visit

75 Preferred subjects t learn n future visit Questin 18 If yu were t visit in the future, which subjects wuld yur persnal grup prefer t learn abut at Chickasaw NRA? 82% f visitr grups were interested in learning abut the park (see Figure 84). As shwn in Figure 85, f thse visitr grups that were interested in learning abut the park, the mst cmmn subjects were: Interested in learning? Yes N N=256 visitr grups 18% Figure 84. Visitr grups that were interested in learning abut the park 82% 65% Natural histry/eclgy 62% Native American heritage 47% Recreatinal pprtunities Other subjects (4%) were: Natural histry/ eclgy N=210 visitr grups** 65% Birdwatching Bat classes Histry f the park Lcal histry Native American heritage Recreatinal pprtunities 47% 62% Subject Gelgy Water resurces 44% 43% Cnservatin/ envirnmental stewardship Civilian Cnservatin Crps 24% 32% Other 4% Figure 85. Subject t learn n future visit 65

76 Overall Quality Questin 14 Overall, hw wuld yu rate the quality f the facilities, services, and recreatinal pprtunities prvided t yur persnal grup at Chickasaw NRA during this visit? N=271 visitr grups Very gd Gd 38% 54% 92% f visitr grups rated the verall quality f facilities, services, and recreatinal pprtunities as very gd r gd (see Figure 86). Rating Average Pr 7% 1% N visitr grups rated the verall quality as very pr; 1% rated the quality as pr. Very pr 0% Figure 86. Overall quality rating f facilities, services, and recreatinal pprtunities 66

77 Visitr Cmment Summaries What visitrs liked mst Questin 23a What did yur persnal grup like mst abut yur visit t Chickasaw NRA? (Open-ended) 85% f visitr grups (N=236) respnded t this questin. Table 22 shws a summary f visitr cmments. The transcribed pen-ended cmments can be fund in the Visitr Cmments sectin. Table 22. What visitrs liked mst (N=370 cmments; sme visitr grups made mre than ne cmment) Cmment Number f times mentined PERSONNEL (1%) Campgrund staff 2 INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (1%) Cmments 3 FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (16%) Cleanliness 26 Trails 10 Campgrunds 8 Fishing 3 Nature Center 3 Other cmments 9 POLICY/MANAGEMENT (2%) Felt safe 3 Other cmments 4 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (4%) Clean water 10 Clean air 2 Other cmments 2 GENERAL (77%) Swimming 45 Lake 29 Beauty 21 Camping 19 Nature 18 Bating 16 Fishing 13 Peace 13 Water 12 Hiking 9 Scenery 9 Quiet 8 67

78 Table 22. What visitrs liked mst (cntinued) Cmment Number f times mentined GENERAL (cntinued) Spending time with family 8 Lake f the Arbuckles 6 Springs 6 Wildlife 5 Little Niagara 4 Picnicking 4 Restful experience 4 Being utdrs 3 Cld water 3 Everything 3 Slitude 3 Veterans Lake 2 Walking 2 Other cmments 20 68

79 What visitrs liked least Questin 23b What did yur persnal grup like least abut yur visit t Chickasaw NRA? (Open-ended) 57% f visitr grups (N=159) respnded t this questin. Table 23 shws a summary f visitr cmments. The transcribed pen-ended cmments can be fund in the Visitr Cmments sectin. Table 23. What visitrs liked least (N=178 cmments; sme visitr grups made mre than ne cmment) Cmment 69 Number f times mentined PERSONNEL (3%) Rude ranger 2 Other cmments 4 INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (2%) Cmments 3 FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (31%) Restrms 10 Dirty restrms 8 Lack f shwers 8 Overgrwn grass/weeds 6 Lack f restrms 4 Clse prximity between campsites 2 Lack f handicap access 2 Under-stcked restrms 2 Other cmments 14 POLICY/MANAGEMENT (4%) Launch fee 3 Difficulty btaining bat permit 2 Other cmments 2 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (3%) Insects 4 Pisn ivy 2 GENERAL (56%) Nthing 19 Crwded 11 Heat 8 Nise 8 Lack f services 6 Litter 6 Nt catching fish 4 Persnal watercrafts 4 Dgs 3 N drinking water available 3 Rcky beach 3

80 Table 23. What visitrs liked least (cntinued) Cmment Number f times mentined GENERAL (cntinued) Lack f cell phne service 2 Visit t shrt 2 Other cmments 21 70

81 Planning fr the future Questin 24 If yu were a manager planning fr the future f Chickasaw NRA what wuld yur persnal grup prpse? (Openended) 55% f visitr grups (N=153) respnded t this questin. Table 24 shws a summary f visitr cmments. The transcribed pen-ended cmments can be fund in the Visitr Cmments sectin. Table 24. Planning fr the future (N=178 cmments; sme visitr grups made mre than ne cmment) Cmment Number f times mentined PERSONNEL (6%) Imprve interactins between public and rangers 3 Increase presence f park rangers 2 Other cmments 5 INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (8%) Add mre activities 4 Imprve/expand Nature Center 4 Other cmments 6 FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (42%) Build a marina 15 Add shwers 10 Mre campsite/rv hkups 9 Imprved restrms 4 Play area fr children 4 Cleaner restrms 3 Mre camping areas 3 Mre restrms 3 Mre swimming areas 3 Mre trails 3 Mre sand n beaches 2 Other cmments 16 POLICY/MANAGEMENT (14%) Limit number f bats/persnal watercraft 4 Easier access t permits 3 Maintain access 2 Other cmments 16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (4%) Mre fish 2 Other cmments 6 71

82 Table 24. Planning fr the future (cntinued) Cmment Number f times mentined GENERAL (25%) Mre fd and fuel services 13 Keep it as it is 10 Imprve cleanliness 5 Bike rentals 2 Mre firewd available at campsites 2 Other cmments 13 72

83 Additinal cmments Questin 25 Is there anything else yur persnal grup wuld like t tell us abut yur visit t Chickasaw NRA? (Open-ended) 49% f visitr grups (N=136) respnded t this questin. Table 25 shws a summary f visitr cmments. The transcribed pen-ended cmments can be fund in the Visitr Cmments sectin. Table 25. Additinal cmments (N=175 cmments; sme visitr grups made mre than ne cmment) Cmment Number f times mentined PERSONNEL (11%) Mre rangers n duty 6 Bad experience with ranger 5 Friendly staff 4 Helpful staff 4 INTERPRETIVE SERVICES (7%) Cmment 1 FACILITIES/MAINTENANCE (15%) Park was clean 6 Restrms were nt clean 5 Need mre and imprved shwers 4 Need mre RV amenities 2 Other cmments 9 POLICY/MANAGEMENT (9%) Better management needed 3 T many bats 2 Other cmments 11 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (2%) Prtect land fr future generatins 2 Other cmments 2 GENERAL (62%) Enjyed visit 56 Lve park 26 Will return 7 Have been cming t park fr a lng time 6 Keep up the gd wrk 4 Thank yu 3 Other cmments 7 73

84 Visitr Cmments This sectin cntains visitr respnses t pen-ended questins. Questin 23a What did yur persnal grup like mst abut yur visit t Chickasaw NRA? (Open-ended) All the beautiful trees - and the cleanliness f the park Always enjy the lake Always lve t picnic, camp, and swim Antelpe trail Arbuckle Lake Arbuckle Lake Arbuckle Lake, jet skiing Atmsphere Availability f resurces clse t hme Beautiful nature Beautiful scenery Beauty Beauty, cleanliness, slitude Being able t camp and fish at ur favrite lake Being utside Bisn viewing and hiking Bat Bat and jet skiing n the lake Bat ramps, springs, lake, nature Bat riding n lake Bating Bating Bating Bating Bating Bating Bating and swimming Bating was ur gal f the day; lve it! Bating, fishing Bating, skiing, camping Campgrund Camping Camping Camping Camping Camping Camping and natural springs Camping and swimming Camping and swimming 74

85 Camping and swimming Camping and swimming in the creek, family time Camping areas Camping facilities and clean restrms and shwers. Natural beauty f the area Camping tgether Camping, swimming at little Niagara Camping/hiking Campsite Children - swimming hle areas Clean Clean Clean and peaceful Clean beaches Clean cmfrt statin Clean lake water, camping near water, kayaking, clean shwers and restrms Clean park Clean restrms, sites are well-kept, very gd camp hst, nise level Clean water, beautiful scenery Clean water, clean air Clean, clear water and clean camp areas Clean, quiet, beautiful Cld springs Cld water, Chickasaw cultural center, hiking Cnvenience Driving in Little Niagara Falls Easy access t trails, clean, beautiful area Ecnmical way t spend the day in water Enjy fishing n lake n a daily basis and have fr mre than 20 years Enjy the nature Everything Everything; lve the cl water Family day ut - peaceful Family time, the water Felt safe. N rwdy peple, mstly families. Fishing Fishing Fishing areas Fishing dcks Fishing/quiet till abut 11:00 AM Fresh spring water Grgeus lake, relaxing in bat and swimming Great camp spts and kids being able t ride bikes t play safely Guided tur (nature) Helpful campgrund staff 75

86 Hiking Hiking and swimming Hiking trails Hiking trails and wildlife Hiking, buffal Hw clean everything was! It is a beautiful place It's always the water, the trees, all f nature in its simplest glry It's clean Junir ranger prgram Just being ut Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake and swimming Lake Arbuckle, Platt Lake experience was gd. Gd Weather. Clean facility. Lake Arbuckle Lake was beautiful and clean Lake, tubing Lakes Little Niagara Lve Little Niagara Lve the life - bld f the park, springs and water Mst beautiful and cleanest lake water in the state Natural beauty Natural beauty accessible Natural cld streams and scenery - trails - nature center Natural envirnment; variety f things t d Nature Nature Nature Nature (tarantulas everywhere) Nature cent trails Nature center; Little Niagara Veterans Lake Nature, buffal trails Nature, swimming, family time Neat, clean grunds and water 76

87 Nice and quiet Nice area Nice Lake Outdrs Park scenery and slitude Peace and quiet Peace and quiet, very beautiful Peaceful envirnment and natural beauty Peaceful, very pretty Picnic area, swimming Platt District Playing in the water, fishing Quality f tent campsites (Rck Creek) Quiet, histry, water Quiet, peaceful. Fresh air. R&R Ranger educatin, swimming Rest Rest Restrms and water access Safety, cleanness f park and lake area Scenery Scenery - water Scenery arund water Scenery, quality bass fishing Scenery; swimming; serenity Scenic view and fishing Secluded campsites while easy access t rads and amenities Seeing the area and family Serenity, beauty Sheltered fishing area with child Slitude and ecnmical Swimming Swimming Swimming Swimming Swimming Swimming Swimming Swimming Swimming and bating Swimming and Buckhrn Swimming and scenting Swimming area 77

88 Swimming areas, clean restrms, and shwers Swimming fr the kids, peaceful envirnment, nn-cmmercial, picnic areas Swimming lcatin Swimming with ur grandchildren Swimming, Bisn verlk, just walking arund the park Swimming, bating, picnicking Swimming, camping Swimming, fishing Swimming, fishing, camping Swimming, fishing, cking ut Swimming, scenery, clean parks (zer trash) Swimming/hiking Swimming/water quality, hiking trail and picnic area at Little Niagara, explring The clean and calm envirnment The cleanliness f the lake The clear water and natural surrundings The clear, clean water The cld springs, the natural setting The entire area was great The fishing The grunds and exhibits The hiking trails and seeing the wildlife The lack f stres and ver develpment The lake The lake The lake The lake The lake lks beautiful - wuld like t return, g water-skiing and if weather permits next time, rent a kayak The Lake f the Arbuckles The natural state f the area and hw clean it was in the public areas The natural, peaceful setting and the streams The nature The nature - a safe place t bring the kids - the water! The pen lake at buckhrn The utdrs and scenery The peaceful feeling The refreshing quiet time sitting by the waterfalls at the Lincln Bridge The spacius, beautiful hiking trails The spring The swimming The turtles. The water The water The water 78

89 The water and picnic areas - able t walk thrugh and see animals The water, the natural beauty, climbing the muntain There was little r n litter. Very nice. Trails and swimming, great family time Trails, wildlife Trails, wildlife, vegetatin Upkeep/maintenance f the bat ramps and dcks is great. Als the park in general is very clean. Very pretty, clear water Veterans Lake Veterans Lake - shelters - trail arund lake. Excellent camp hst. Visiting and camping Visiting ur relative wh is a seasnal park ranger Visiting the lake and Little Niagara Visiting with friends and family, hiking and swimming Walking Walking areas Water Water Water sprts Water, swimming, shrt hikes, fishing, and cleanliness f the park We live right dwn the rad and lve the lake We lve the campgrund near water and the natural beauty Wmen in bathing suits 79

90 Questin 23b What did yur persnal grup like least abut yur visit t Chickasaw NRA? (Open-ended) A little bit f trash in the water All the nise n the weekend Always nice Ants n the hill and sidewalk Aut, flies Backing the bat Bad rads Bathrm accessibility Bathrm tilet wasn't a flushable tilet. Mre f a prt-a-ptty tilet. Bathrms Bathrms Bathrms Bathrms at Guy Sandy Bat Ramp Better handicapped fishing area Big-headed park rangers, ccky attitudes. I knw they have a jb t d but they shuld be mre friendly. Bat dck was damaged Bat launch fee Brmide Pavilin; because n water was available in it Bugs - sft sand spurs Busy, n areas t anchr bat away frm thers Camping Cigarette butts Clean - nt crwded Cleanliness f restrms Clse prximity between campsites Clseness f ther campsites ther campers t lud late at night Cpperhead snakes Crwd swim areas Crwded - nt enugh tables arund sme swimming areas Crwded at Niagara Falls area Day area gets crwded Dead battery n bat Difficult system fr buying annual stickers Dirty bathrms Distance/travel frm hme, restrm facilities, limited time at site Driving back t twn each day fr ice and ther small things etc. laundry Drunk, lud, neighbrs Everything was nice Feral cats Ging hme Had t camp at ur secnd chice site due t restrms were brken at first chice site 80

91 Had t drive t Sulphur fr mre fd Hard t find and restrms were grss Heat Heat Heat Heat - came in June Heat, nt mre handicap accesses Ht weather I lve ur park - thank yu fr making it such a beautiful place Incnsiderate 4 a.m. camp setup with rap music lud It's all gd It's time t update and remdel the nature center Jet skis, persnal watercraft Lack f parking near the creek Lack f respnse frm chamber f cmmerce Launch fee Leaving Length f stay (t brief) Like everything Lng walk t the restrms Lking fr firewd Mre patrls t reduce rwdy nes and avid child abductins Mre seating areas n trail Must travel utside park fr gas, etc. Nature center needs mre exhibits, merchandise Need t have utside shwers available Needs less n waste area by shre N cmplaints N cnvenience stre clse N cvered area when it rained. N buys t tie up t n lake. N electric hkups N marina n the lake i.e. restaurant, gas N ranger at Buckhrn Statins N services N shwers N shwers N shwers at the nrth part f the area N shwers in campgrund bathrms N shws and bathrm tilet were a little lw fr adults and had t haul firewd N sap in wmen's restrm N water funtains N, we all had a great time Nise at night and need mre shade trees Nise frm night time critters 81

92 Nisy camping neighbrs Nisy vehicles Nn-wrking water at pavilin Nne Nne Nne Nt anything Nt catching any fish Nt catching fish Nt enugh picnic tables Nt t gd, need t have mre live animals t learn abut Nthing Nthing Nthing Nthing in particular Nthing really Only issue was cell phne cnnectin fr business reasns Our jug lines being cnfiscated s drunkards culd take ver and swim in the cve at the Lp A Buckhrn Campgrund. The rudeness f the ranger questining us dumping ice water n the grund. Overcrwded picnic area (Little Niagara) Overgrwn grasses - weeds underbrush need cleared Peple bring dgs (I knw they re part f the family) if nt tended well they bark all night Peple nt cleaning up after their dgs nt n leash Persnal watercraft and incnsiderate baters Picnic tables in bad shape and grass nt mwed Prt-a-Ptties Restrms - need mre Restrms were brke in the area where we camped Restrms/shwers lacking Rcks are slick/hazardus in creeks Rcks n beach flr Rcky beach areas Scrpins Seemed t be n fish last cuple f years we have visited Shared picnic site due t vlume f peple Sharp rcks Sick f the jet ski/sea d, watercrafts trailing behinds ur bat Sleeping in the tent during thunderstrm - withut severe weather inf, n signal fr phne t btain weather inf Sme areas had a lt f peple Sme f the trails were vergrwn with pisn ivy. There were nt many RV spts within the park. Sme f the trash especially in little Niagara area, a lt f pisn ivy in little Niagara Speeding cars (lud and fast) Strng dr in restrms 82

93 Sunburn Tall grass arund picnic area The bathrm was hrrible The bat permit machine was brken The dirty bathrms The fee t get n the lake The fishing The grass was very high at the picnic areas The harassment by Park Rangers, we are suppsed t be supprtive f turists in this area and nt run them ff! The heat The heat n Father's Day The lack f helpful persnnel The lack f sap in the public bathrms/restrms The restrms are nasty The strm that ran us ff the lake The sulphur smell The trash that ther peple thrw alng the water - diapers and beer cans The use f thers Seads. They are very disturbing. They liked everything T many ther visitrs T many ski bats and wake bard bats T much traffic, cmfrt statins, t dirty, n shwers, litter Trash in sme stream areas Trash nt picked up Truble getting permits Trying t find camping available Uncut grass Very limited r nn existent access t the lake frm the camping areas Visitr dgs Watching ut fr pisn ivy, chiggers, and ticks We liked it all We lved it all! When hiking the tilets were far apart Wish there were mre activities 83

94 Questin 24 If yu were a manager planning fr the future f Chickasaw NRA, what wuld yur persnal grup prpse? (Open-ended) A few mre restrms - the park is fine A maximum number f bats A playgrund fr small children, the Mnkey Tree is getting ld Access trails dwn t the lake withut getting cvered by ticks Add shwers in the campgrunds Add shwers, extend visitr center hurs, keep all campgrunds pen later in the seasn. Adding electricity in the Platt District - fr camping Additinal park persnnel - mre visibility f park rangers An area with a place t wrkut - simple thing. Pull up bar/step up platfrm/push up bar and a playgrund area fr kids Bathrms have shwers and taller tilets, and mre firewd (large pieces) at campsites. Better beaches. Buys t tie up t n water stres r gas. Better husekeeping f the park. Encurage visitrs t keep the park clean. Day use fees. Better ranger attitude tward the public Bike rentals Bike rentals and kayak rentals sme Chickasaw museum/inf Bat marina Bat rental Bring back camp hsts, charge t drive int park areas. Quit clearing. Bringing the Brmide Pavilin back like it was 1966, the first time we saw it Build a cnvenience stre clse by Building several small and medium size cabins and a park cnvenience stre Camping and bating Camping area, better management, mre full hkups Central pint t stay at the park Clean and prtect, get rid f pisn ivy Clean waterways in flwer park better Cleaner bathrms Cleaner envirnment Clearing f trails, mre cleanup Cntinue t maintain access t such a sanctuary Cntinue current prgrams Custmer service training fr all f the emplyees, including thse at privately wned business. The stre at the bat ramp. Als, all gvernment emplyees at the visitr center in Sulphur. Decrease lud radis n bats and picnic areas Definitely need a marina fr gas and emergency items, maybe fd Deny access by jet ski watercraft Dn't change anything. Just maintain and d upkeep n what is there. Dn't change much! We lve this place. Easier t get permits Firewd available at campsite (pre-cut) 84

95 Fix bathrms at Buckhrn Lp B Fd Fd and marina Full hkups Gas and vending n the water Gift shp, electric at tent sites Handicap fishing pavilin with pathway Hiking and camping Hire mre maintenance persnal t keep up with the wrk lad Hire Native Americans - the nes that lk like Native Americans Hire park cps frm this area! I like the way it is I wuld have mre shwers available, and a central shre with ice, laundrmat, and gas available t campers I wuld have the restrm checked mre ften, I wuld have mre stuff in the center Ice machine at main entrance tend t restrms mre ften Ice machines Install mre full hk up sites fr RV's Just mre activities Keep it like it is Keep it like it is - primitive. Keep the riffraff ut! Keep it the way it is, natural, clean and special Keep the level f recreatin the same easy access t swimming, etc. N cmmercial anything Keep up the gd wrk Keeping it the way nature intends fr it Leave it the way it is Less access t the campgrunds after dark Limit n peple at the bigger swimming areas, its dangerus Limit the number f large watercraft n the lake Lk at the maps frm the pint f view f smene frm ut f twn Make sure the water surce is prtected Marina Marina Marina Marina Marina Marina Marina, restaurants, fuel sites Marina with ice, fd, snacks, cafe, sn-cnes, putt-putt glf, playgrund fr kids Marina with restaurant, als ban persnal watercraft Mre access t lake Mre advertisement n net, TV, and pamphlet Mre bathrms and shwers fr campers Mre buildings, museum stuff. Mre camping and better restrms 85

96 Mre camping spaces Mre campsites (electric) Mre disabled parking areas clser t histrical waters Mre educatinal prgrams t interest bth adults and children Mre electric and water spts fr RV's. Parking areas. Mre electrical RV sites, put electric sites in the park Mre fish Mre hiking trails in the less develped areas Mre histry Mre lighting in the parking areas Mre pen space fr swimming fr kids Mre parking at Guy Sandy Mre picnic tables Mre places t eat Mre places t eat, marina, Marina Creek Fd Area Mre public fishing access Mre restricted areas fr speed bats and PWC's Mre restrm Mre RV spts with full hkups, nature centers are vital (mre animals), cut pisn ivy back frm trails Mre signs shwing where things are never fund. Never fund Little Niagara. Mre swimming areas Mre swimming areas n campgrund Buckhrn Lp C Mre walking trails pssibly? Near picnic area arund Guy Sandy Ramp, walking and biking trails arund Guy Sandy Ramp Area N marina n lake Nthing Nthing, great place Nthing, it was a great visit One member in ur grup said that when she came here 25 years ag the pint was all sandy beach. Mre sand! Outlaw the Seads Park rangers cme arund mre frequently Plan ahead Playgrund Pl and playgrund Pst signs n trails abut leash rules and cleaning up after yur dg Preservatin Prgram has visited fr three cnsecutive years and experience is becming redundant Prvide easier access t get annual bat stickers at bat dcks Put a marina n the lake and remve persnal mtr crafts Put in a marina Put mre stres clse t the lakes like this. Have sidewalks, cnvert steps t reserve the lake. Putting sand n beaches, better signage t swim areas Putting shwers in Rck Creek and Cld Creek Crp grunds and mre swimming hles 86

97 Rangers interact n a friendly manner instead f when they think yu've dne smething wrng. Prvide annual bat permit stickers at the campsite. Recreatin activities Relax Remve feral cats Rental chairs See befre. It wuld als be nice t see federal funds made available t ptential gateway businesses. Selling t-shirt in the gift stre! We miss the wls in the nature center Shaded areas t sit by the water Shady campsites Shwers Shwers - Buckhrn dwn t ne and nt clean - cleaner/newer restrm facilities Shwers and cleaner bathrms Sit dwn restaurants, gas n the lake, 4th f July firewrks n the lake! Statins t get cld drinks Stay at the suth area fr shwers Stck lake again and better restrm T call ff the park ranger and make them stp frcing hnest hard wrking peple t feel like criminals. T have mre time Trnad sirens lcated at every camping area site. Example Buckhrn A/B; C+D Trash pick up by emplyees and vlunteer grups maybe make an hnrary ranger prgram t reward vlunteers Upkeep n all facilities Visit t cultural center We enjy ur visits as they are We missed amphitheater presentatin - cming in n Saturday and nt knwing abut it. Have a mid week t! Wi-fi service Wuldn't change anything Yes Zip lines ff f Brmide Hill 87

98 Questin 25 Is there anything else yur persnal grup wuld like t tell us abut yur visit t Chickasaw NRA? (Open-ended) Abut 5 years I have asked rangers t put handicap driveway at Buckhrn Pavilin s a wheelchair can get n the path but nthing has been dne yet All persnnel were friendly and helpful. Restrms were clean as well as the whle park. Arbuckle Lake is a beautiful lake and area with a lt f ptential As a citizen f the Chickasaw Natin, it is imprtant t me that the land stay prtected s it may be enjyed fr generatins t cme. Bathrm at ramps stink Beauty f park Been cming here my whle life. My grandchildren are 4th generatin campers here. Been seeing t many feral cats. I knw they have t live t! But the birds pay fr this! Better air circulatin at the shwers and fr the safety f campers there shuld be trnad sirens Better fishing (catching) Camp hst was helpful and friendly. Enjyed urselves and even enjyed having the fur-legged bandits arund. Chickasaw Natinal Park is very clean and safe. We really enjy the safety and cleanliness. Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area was very clean. The rangers have always been nice hwever; I did hear they were giving warnings fr peple staying in the bat when lading? If s that seems a bit gfy. Chickasaw NRA surprised us by hw untuched and beautiful the hiking trails and natural surrundings were. We will definitely return! Enjyable Enjyed ur visit as we always d. One f my favrite places in the state! Enjyed the NRA very much, very glad we have it. Great being free. Everything was great Favrite place in Oklahma t be! Five generatins in my family have been ging there and we abslutely lve it! Dn't change a thing! Fun fr all ages Glad we visited Grgeus park Great jb! Well taken care f. Great park fr families, thanks Great place t get away Great time Had a great trip, lk frward t a return visit Had a great visit Had a wnderful visit Have sme camping areas withut pets! Cntrl number f vehicles parked alng lp rads. Maybe have "hney wagn" available fr fee t suck ut hlding tanks. I enjy it tremendusly. If my friend did nt talk t me abut it, I wuld have nt knwn. I will be back. I enjyed the visit a lt We were ging t Chickasaw NRA. Smetimes n a daily basis. Walking, biking, camping, it's a beautiful place. 88

99 I have visited CNRA all my life, but have seen the harassment f the visitrs steadily rise, we shuld be embracing visitrs nt pulling them ver and writing tickets fr everything under the sun! I lve the area bught a lake place. Lve it. I lve the park! I've been visiting this facility since 1979 and d nt plan t stp unless I die r the waters dry up! It is a great place. I used it several days a week. We are lucky t have such a place. It is a really great place! It is kept clean and updated bat dcks, camp areas It was a beautiful lake It was a wnderful day - ne f ur grup is battling breast cancer s the trip was very special fr her and all f us - Thanks Kim It was fun and enjyable It was gd we lve cming ut, but the crwdedness is dangerus when yu have small children It was great. Unfrtunately there was n cvered shelter, hwever we were already wet frm watersprts. It's always a gd time - I lve that it is alchl free - better fr families Junir Ranger Prgram is a great service! Keep up the gd wrk! Just wish restrms were cleaner. I wuldn't let my kids use them they were s nasty. Keep up the gd wrk Keep up the gd wrk! Lake was very clean. N trash t be seen. Later in day had truble with bats cming t clse t kids swimming and skiing Lve it Lve the lake, lts f family fun! Lve the park and area. Private. Lve this lake better than any ther place in Oklahma. If I am nt at wrk, I am at the park walking r swimming. Lved it and will return Lved ur time there! Thank yu fr all yur hard wrk! Make bathrms in the hiking areas Many in ur family were raised in Sulphur, OK and we have ur reunins there My husband and his family have been cming here fr reunins and picnics since the 1950's. My husband and I tk ur children here frm 1971 t present and they are grwn nw! We lve it! Much better than amusement parks. A great natinal park. Need a better system f dispensing annual stickers. Getting frm bat rental is better than it was befre. Need large sign shwing all the trails and places t g (the yu are here signs). Maybe drinking funtains, mre benches near swimming areas. Need rangers t inspect trails mre ften fr leash rules fr dgs and dgs n trail behind nature center Needs t be physically managed better - need mre attentin t vegetatin Nice park, well-maintained except bathrm at Niagara Swim Hle Nice place t visit N, it s a wnderful place t visit and my family and I g a lt. The ants n the sidewalk leading t the hill dwn t the sand acrss the bridge t the water. Thse ants are very bad and it needs t be taken care f. 89

100 Nticed additinal picnic tables this year, please prvide mre cking amenities. Recmmend psting a schedule f events/activities available in public spaces. Shwers - ur kids stink traveling 70 miles hme. Our family had a wnderful time and will d it again Park is always very clean and well kept Park rangers need t patrl areas with families mre. T many. Peple thrw their kids dirty diapers all arund the lake and bushes. Nasty! Als friendliness is imprtant. Sme park peple are s hstile and bred lking. Smile! Parking space very limited Please have a stre and bait shp and mre shwers Really enjyed ur stay. Beautiful! Restrm/shwer cleanliness, nise cntrl at Cld Springs. Wuld lve t have ranger n duty at entrance t Cld Springs - like the ld days! Shwer in camp areas. Great! Stayed at Buckhrn lp D as we have fr years nw. Camp hst was great. She des a great jb and very friendly. Teacher wh shared questinnaire was very pleasant Thank yu The CNRA has gne dwnhill ver the last few years in appearance and cleanliness f facilities. Park rangers dn't seem t be friendly. The lake is very well kept. Restrms were extremely clean. The patrl needs t patrl mre maybe n ft s they can catch the scary lud drunks! The tenants that were in this lcatin when we arrived had 3 large dgs that had dug depressins t lie in. We had t fill these t keep frm tripping. They had als nt cleaned up the dgs' waste, s it was stinky. I wuld like t see a camping area fr ppups, RV's within view f the lake. The restrm desn't need t have all f the shwers handicapped-accessible. Mre shwers need t be installed s there is nt a lng wait in the evenings. There needs t be sme system fr checkin when yu've made reservatins nline. Smene was in ur spt, the camp hst was nt available. We culd nt lcate any park persnnel. Drve int Sulphur and went t visitr center. That lady wasn't helpful either. Very frustrating experience fr a first-time visitr. There needs t be better enfrcement f the rules especially pen exhaust n bats This has been a relaxing, enjyable place t visit fr many years. I hpe it stays the same. This is a great lake and natinal park and an asset t ur cmmunity, keep up the gd wrk! This is ur favrite place in OK! We lve the trails, the water, the nature center. This is ur favrite place t g hiking; keep up the gd wrk This is the best place fr camping in the state. NPS des a great jb maintaining it. Trip was pleasant. Very beautiful Very clean! Bat rental wuld have been a help. Very enjyable stay, nice facilities Very nice Veterans Lake needs mre shreline fr fishing near the picnic area. T many trees remved. Visiting family and this way a way t enjy each ther and learn smething and enjy the grunds f the Chickasaw natin. Great experience, thanks fr keeping all aspects f the grunds and buildings. Felt very welcme. Was a lvely camping area and ur family's favrite vacatin site Water is very cld! 90

101 We are always treated well. We walk, eat, visit, and take ur friends t park t shw ff its beauty. All very gd. A very gd place t bring yur family and friends. We like t shw what we have in Sulphur. We visit ften t encurage thers t visit the park. We enjy cming there. We cme every year, we are there with friends and family t enjy the scenery and nature and t swim in the cld water We enjy spending time there... beautiful! We enjy the lake and have fr the past 20 years We enjyed everything and will visit again We enjyed the park We enjyed the visit. Pretty scenery. We felt the interpreter was infrmative, patient, and interesting - a fantastic resurce fr the bys We g every year and we lve it We had a breakdwn n ur mtrhme after trying t hk up ur equipment fr the trip hme. The ranger was nice but it was insulting when he infrmed us that we culdn't camp in the parking lt f the bat ramp after we tld him we were brke dwn and needed time t get the replacement part installed and get the van and bat hked back up behind the mtrhme. We had just spent 12 days in the park fr the 45th year f visiting the park and we knw there are designated campgrunds. We had a gd visit We had a great time and plan t keep cming back. It's better than the lake here at hme. We had a really great day. Will be back in September fr a reunin. Wish there was a playgrund with slides, swings, etc. fr the small children. We had a wnderful time. It was the first time in 35 years that I've seen it. I was very impressed by all the wrk n park, campsites, rads, and hiking trails! We had fun We had the best weekend ever! We have always taken vacatins at Platt since S we have seen many changes but we are seeing the pristine nature being destryed. We have an RV and wuld like t camp in Platt Natinal Park but there are n facilities. In my yuth I camped in tent in CRNA. We have been cming fr years t this lake and the nly issue we had is with jet ski/skid riders - they are dangerus! We hpe the park stays in the natinal park system. We camp at least nce a year and enjy the area very much. We live abut 30 miles away but we cme t Chickasaw NRA fr the beauty f the park. My husband actually drinks the water! We lve cming here every year as ur family vacatin! The peple are helpful (camp hst) and kind. They are spread thin. This past time ur site needed us t clean up befre we even set up ur tent. Usually it's clean but this last time it wasn't. We lve cming here. We bring ut dgs. They lve it here as well. We lve it, dwn there yu guys! We lve Platt Park. We have been ging there fr 40 years. We lve Sulphur We lve the Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area (All f it!) And yur park des a great jb. Fr ver 8 years every ranger, wrker, etc. are great! Recmmend t everyne. We lve the park - ur wedding phts were taken thrughut the park s it will always be a very special place t us. Please keep it a beautiful gem fr generatins t cme! We lve the park and lake. I have been cming fr frty years and bringing my family fr 17 years. 91

102 We lve this park and cme as ften as we can We lved it and are planning many mre trips, including using Junir Ranger Prgram fr grandkids We lved it. Other than the restrm. We were verall very happy with the area We will be back many times! Lve the area. Yes; the guardian d allw that wner s dgs take it the pets int the water, but nt all animals are healthy Yu will be eaten alive by chiggers at the Buckhrn Beach 92

103 Appendix 1: The Questinnaire 93

104

105 Scial Science Divisin Natinal Park Service U.S. Department f the Interir Visitr Services Prject Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area Visitr Study Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area Visitr Study 2 OMB Apprval Expiratin date: 2012 United States Department f the Interir NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IN REPLY REFER TO: Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area 1008 West Secnd Sulphur, Oklahma June 2012 Dear Visitr: Thank yu fr participating in this study. Our gal is t learn abut the expectatins, pinins, and interests f visitrs t Chickasaw Natinal Recreatin Area. This infrmatin will assist us in ur effrts t better manage this park and t serve yu. This questinnaire is nly being given t a select number f visitrs, s yur participatin is very imprtant! It shuld nly take abut 20 minutes t cmplete. When yur visit is ver, please cmplete this questinnaire. Seal it in the pstage paid envelpe prvided and drp it in any U.S. mailbx. If yu have any questins, please cntact Lena Le, VSP Assistant Directr, Park Studies Unit, Cllege f Natural Resurces, P.O. Bx , University f Idah, Mscw, Idah , phne: , lenale@uidah.edu. We appreciate yur help. Sincerely, Bruce Nble Superintendent