2018 Vilas County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) Survey Results Summary

Transcription

1 2018 Vilas County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) Survey Results Summary In the spring of 2018 NCWRPC mailed survey notices to each town, and ed survey notices to a whole list of outdoor recreation groups provided by the Vilas County Forestry, Recreation, and Land Department. The survey was also available via a link on the Vilas County Forestry, Recreation, and Land Department s website and on NCWRPC s website. We received 661 responses to the Survey. This survey was sent out for customer feedback and is not statistically significant. Listening to the public's thoughts gives valuable perspectives for use in developing this outdoor recreation plan. Respondents were allowed to skip questions, so several questions had smaller response groups. About 73% of respondents live in Vilas County or have a summer home in the County; and 103 people marked what zip code they live at. Most municipalities were represented with about 62% of respondents answering this question. Through an IP address analysis of who took the survey it appears that 41 IP addresses are at least duplicated, which could mean that a husband and wife both took the survey. One IP address repeated 8 times, 4 IP addresses repeated 3 times, and another IP address repeated 5 times. All of those duplicate IP addresses did not have the same answers, so it appears that nobody stuffed the ballot box. A majority of the respondents were male (62% male, 38% female). Respondents came from all age groups, with a strong showing of at least 20% in the 45 to 54 age group, the 55 to 64 age group, and the More than 64 age group. For the full survey results (157 pages) go online here: Key Findings of the ORP Survey: The most frequent outdoor recreational activities respondents participated in: 1. Boating 73% of responses 2. Walking/hiking 72% of responses 3. Fishing 64% of responses 4. Events / Festivals / Fairs 61% of responses 5. Canoeing / Kayaking 57% of responses 6. Swimming 54% of responses 7. Bicycling 49% of responses 8. ATV / UTV / OHM Riding 46% of responses 9. Driving for pleasure 46% of responses 10. Gardening 37% of responses

2 Q2 What potential outdoor recreational opportunities should be developed in Vilas County? 1. ATV/UTV trails/routes 301 responses 2. Mtn. Bike/Bike trails/routes 152 responses 3. Hiking/walking area/trails 45 responses 4. Cross country ski & snowshoe trails 36 responses 5. Boat launch and fishing pier improvements 33 responses 6. Pickle ball courts 29 responses 7. Dog parks 18 responses 8. Snowmobile trails 17 responses 9. Primitive campsites 13 responses 10. Camping 10 responses 11. Horseback riding 10 responses Questions 3 through 40 are for specific county park or campgrounds. - Each Committee member received the full 157 page summary, which is also available here: Q6 What improvements are needed in Eagle Lake County Park? Answered: 53 people. (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (11) Update bathrooms. (7) Beach has too much duck/goose poop. Improve beach. (6) Improve nature trails. (5) Improve boat landing & boat parking. (3) More picnic tables. (3) Provide shoreland buffer & educational signs. (3) Make dog friendly. NCWRPC Notes: - Is there a sign identifying this as a county park? - Is there a brown highway grade directional sign for this park on USH 45? Q10 What improvements are needed in Torch Lake County Park? Answered: 29 people. (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (5) Pave parking lot / better parking / ADA parking / expand parking. Page 2 of 12

3 (5) Better playground equipment. (3) New restroom needed. (3) Sign nature trails / improve trails. Q14 What improvements are needed in Hunter Lake County Park? Answered: 30 people. (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (11) Improve boat landing / better kayak access. (5) New restrooms. (4) More parking. Q25 What improvements are needed in Tamarak Springs Campground? Answered: 4 people. Q30 What improvements are needed in Buckatabon Creek Canoe Campsite? Answered: Nobody. Q30 What improvements are needed in Rummels Road Canoe Campsite? Answered: 1 person. Q34 What boat landings need improvements? (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (24) No improvements needed. (8) Not sure/don t know. (8) N/A. I have not used any in Vilas County. (7) More parking at most sites. Trailer parking needed. (7) Toilets at all boat landings/at popular landings. (7) White Sand Lake boat ramp. Needs more parking. (6) Trout Lake (North Trout Lake) needs good ramp and dock. (1) South Trout Lake road to primitive boat landing needs grading badly. (6) Signage at boat landings to inform/educate on invasive species. (5) All the ones I use are accessible for my needs. Very nice. (5) - Maybe more canoe/kayak access on smaller lakes. - Kayaks and canoes should be able to use lake surrounding beach area. It is unsafe to force families to maneuver kayaks around the boats as they cause waves that are hard to control boat. Q40 What improvements are needed in River Road Equestrian Campground? Answered: 1 person. Page 3 of 12

4 Q41 What type of water enthusiast are you? Answered: 627 Skipped: 34 Category 1 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Not at all. Casual user. Enthusiastic. Avid. Not at all. (I m not interested in water recreation at all, not even with friends.) Casual user. (I like to use the water, but only do so occasionally.) Enthusiastic. (I access or go on the water regularly in summer, and I might occasionally access the ice in winter.) Avid. (I am always on the water or ice every chance I get.) Q42 How do you use the water? (Choose all that apply.) Answered: 602 Skipped: 59 Page 4 of 12

5 Q44 What winter recreation activities do you participate in? (Choose all that apply.) Answered: 627 Skipped: 34 Q47 What improvements to Winter Silent Sport Trails would you like? Answered: 98 Skipped: 563 (# of responses) Most common sentiments: General comments: (7) More winter silent sports trails. (5) More snowshoe trails. (4) N/A (4) Never heard of these trails. (3) Creation of fat bike trails. Trail specific comments: (5) Pioneer Creek would be nice to have a longer trail system, better signage - beginner trails would be nice. (3) Anvil Lake more grooming (3) Langley better grooming and trail markings (1) Raven more consistent grooming (1) Madeline more consistent grooming (1) Shannon Lake groomed more regularly, and for fat bikes (1) Boulder Junctions Winter Park would like a longer trail (1) Hidden Lakes and Luna/White Deer better signage & maps (1) Razorback Ridges needs a new XC ski grooming machine Page 5 of 12

6 Q48 What type of Snowmobile /ATV/UTV/ Off-Highway Motorcycle enthusiast are you? Answered: 608 Skipped: 53 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Not at all. Casual user. Enthusiastic. Avid. Not at all. (I m not interested in motorized recreation at all, not even with friends.) Casual user. (I like to use motorized vehicles for fun, but only do so occasionally, OR only on my own land.) Enthusiastic. (I access or go on motorized routes and trails regularly in summer, and I might occasionally access the ice in winter.) Avid. (I am always on a motorized vehicle every chance I get all year long.) Q49 How often do you use the following Motorized Sport Trails? Answered: 599 Skipped: 62 Vilas County ATV / UTV Trails Vilas County Snowmobile Trails Page 6 of 12

7 Q50 Rate your overall satisfaction with the Motorized Sport Trails: Answered: 599 Skipped: 62 Vilas County ATV / UTV Trails Vilas County Snowmobile Trails Q51 What improvements to Motorized Sport Trails would you like? Answered: 309 Skipped: 352 (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (138) Open more ATV/UTV trails. - Routes are nice, but trails are much more enjoyable. Much less tire wear. - Need more connectivity across county. - Let s connect the towns! - More access to towns. - Provide access to restaurants and lodging. - Maintain fire control roads and dirt roads for UTV use. (49) No ATV trails. - ATV/UTV close them. - I d like to see fewer ATVs and UTVs on public land. - ATV/UTV riders often leave the trails and destroy the beauty of the forest. - I am a bicycler and will not go where there are ATVs. (22) ATV/UTV opportunities in Boulder Junction. - Our second home is here. - We go on 4-night trips a year with 6 friends and our tourist dollars are spent in other counties. Page 7 of 12

8 (13) Would like to see more ATV trails in: (4) Presque Isle, (3) Lac du Flambeau, (2) Manitowish Waters, (2) Winchester, and (2) Sayner. (6) Bigger ATV signs, better maps. (3) From Shield Rd in St Germain, connect UTV trail to St Germain or Eagle River. Possibly use Birchwood. Snowmobile Comments: (5) Keep ATVs off snowmobile trails. (4) No snowmobile trails. (2) Snowmobile bridge should be built over one swamp in Boulder Junction (Ham s Hole north of Gooch s). Straighten snake trails/cannot properly groom them. Unsafe as well. Q52 What type of bicyclist are you? Answered: 596 Skipped: 65 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% No way, no how. Interested but concerned. Enthusiastic & confident. Strong & fearless. Strong and fearless. (I am confident in my abilities and will ride regardless of roadway conditions, amount of traffic, or inclement weather.) Enthusiastic and confident. (I feel comfortable sharing the road with motor vehicles, but I prefer to ride on separate facilities like bike lanes. I may or may not ride in inclement weather.) Interested but concerned. (I like riding, but don t do it regularly. I m generally concerned that my route is not safe to ride, so I don t ride often. I definitely do not ride when the weather is bad.) No way, no how. (I m not interested in biking at all, not even for recreation.) Page 8 of 12

9 Q53 How often do you use the following Summer Silent Sport Trails? Answered: 596 Skipped: 65 90% of respondents don t use these trails (not shown for legibility). Ski Hill (hunter / hiking trail) White Squaw Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Pioneer Creek (hunter / hiking trail) Snipe/Ewalk/Wood Duck (hunter / hiking trail) Heart Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Langley Lake (handicapped trail) Langley Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Torch Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Muskrat Creek (hunter / hiking trail) Mud Minnow Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Decker Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Percentage of Respondents Occasionally Monthly Weekly Page 9 of 12

10 Q54 Rate your overall satisfaction with the Summer Silent Sport Trails? Answered: 584 Skipped: 77 90% of respondents don t use these trails (not shown for legibility). Ski Hill (hunter / hiking trail) White Squaw Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Pioneer Creek (hunter / hiking trail) Snipe/Ewalk/Wood Duck (hunter / hiking trail) Heart Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Langley Lake (handicapped trail) Langley Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Torch Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Muskrat Creek (hunter / hiking trail) Mud Minnow Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Decker Lake (hunter / hiking trail) Percentage of Respondents Very Satisfied Good Fair Page 10 of 12

11 Q55 What improvements to Summer Silent Sport Trails would you like? Answered: 125 Skipped: 536 (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (14) I ve never heard of these trails. A map of trails would be helpful. Relatively new to the area. Haven t used these trails yet, but anticipate we will be regulars on them. The silent sport trails were one of the main draws to the area for us. (11) None. (9) N/A (6) Do not know. (11) More trails. Keep building trails to move bikes off the highways. (11) Development of connecting trails. - Boulder Junction area; Arbor Vitae area; western Vilas; northern Vilas; - Presque Isle to Winchester; connect Eagle River to St Germain and Conover (hike/bike) (8) Keep ATVs away. (3) Open them to ATV/UTVs. (5) Better maps and signage. (2) Invasive species management needed. (6) Start a fee pass for all users. (4) More mowing of the trails. (2) The improvement I would like to see has to do with respectful utilization of roads where they intersect bike trails. Too often I see bicyclists disregarding stop signs and failing to follow and use traffic rules. Education and enforcement of traffic laws would increase safety and enjoyment for all. Q59 Comments about trails becoming shared use. Answered: 241 Skipped: 420 (# of responses) Most common sentiments: (67) No motorized/non-motorized sharing. Sample of comments that reflect sentiment: - Motorized stays together. Silent stays together. - (18 responses related to this:) Safety of families/users is jeopardized when silent sports are mixed with motorized. - (5 responses related to this:) People need a quiet place for true northwoods experience. - (2 responses related to this:) Motorized vehicles wreck trails designed for silent sports. - Designate trails for silent sport and others for motorized sports. I like both sports but separate trails. - Cross country skiing does not mix with snowmobiling. Hiking and biking do not mix with ATVs. - Too much dust, noise, exhaust, nature disturbance. - Silent sports don t belong on motorized vehicle trails safety issue. - There is enough land in Vilas County for all sports. Page 11 of 12

12 (33) Strongly support shared use. Sample of comments that reflect sentiment: - If you cater to one, then it s only fair that you cater to all. - (7 responses related to this:) Everyone should be allowed to enjoy the outdoors which would also include the elderly and the handicap. - Sharing is better than having the forest all cut up for many unnecessary trails. - Shared use as long as there are provisions for routine maintenance. - I think silent sport enthusiasts should be more accepting of ATV/UTVs use and shared use. We have a group of respectful families that visit multiple times each year, spending money and making memories for their children. This is the future for the northwoods and good memories will bring younger generations back up north for years to come. (11) There are certain times when user groups can share a bridge or share a trail at different times of the year. Sample of comments that reflect sentiment: - In places where a connection is needed, then sharing would be a low cost solution and a low speed limit for motorized would keep it pleasant for all. - Respectful, thoughtful, shared use makes sense to minimize forest impact, especially at bridges and other sensitive areas. Other comments about shared use: - (5 responses related to this:) UTV/ATVs rip up winter snowmobile trails. - (4 responses related to this:) Shared use with ATV and snowmobile is ok. - (3 responses related to this:) Horseback riders / hikers / bicyclists shared on a trail ATV / motorcycle shared on a trail. - (3 responses related to this:) ATV/UTV tourism dollars are going to adjacent counties. Vilas should get a piece of this too. - (3 responses related to this:) Bikers, XC, snowshoe, kayak all silent sports bring in lots of revenue to communities because we get really hungry! Also, if a marathon is planned, then motorized use should be excluded while event is happening. - (2 responses related to this:) If the ATV and UTV are to share snowmobile trails, then they need to help finance our club. - (2 responses related to this:) ATVs and motorcycles pay for annual registration, but few trails exist. Horses, walkers, and bicyclists don t pay for trails, but there are many trails for them. - (2 responses related to this:) Do not want to smell or listen to ATVs going by my house on the snowmobile trail in the summer when my windows are open. - (2 responses related to this:) No ATV or Horses on Bike trails. - Cars and ATVs no way. Bikes and ATVs no way. These kinds of sharing drive people AWAY from communities and businesses that support them! - Shared use: bicycling in summer and snowmobile in winter works. - If a summer silent sport trail doesn t get much use, then maybe it could be opened to ATV/UTVs. - No ATVs on bike/hiking or snowmobile trails. - Bicycle and snowmobile, ATV/UTV and snowmobile. - Cannot mix snowmobiling, snowshoeing, & cross country skiing. Page 12 of 12