Companion Report D Priorities and Objectives Audit

Companion Report D Priorities and Objectives Audit

Companion Report D
Priorities and Objectives Audit

New Mexico
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

May 2015

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Priorities and Objectives Audit | D-1

Contents

Priorities and Objectives Audit

Introduction

Survey Respondents:

Promote the Livability of All Communities

Enhance Economic Vitality

Properly Use and Conserve Natural Resources

Develop Trail Networks Statewide That Facilitate Recreation, Transportation and Healthy Lifestyles

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Priorities and Objectives Audit | D-1

Priorities and Objectives Audit

Introduction

The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is updated every five years. This important update increases awareness of critical needs and priorities for outdoor recreation statewide and can help recreation providers obtain additional funding. Through the update process outdoor recreation professionals and agencies across the state were asked to help in evaluation of the priorities and objectives in the previous 2010 SCORP.

Survey participants were asked to rank each of the priorities on a scale of very important, somewhat important, neutral or not at all important. Follow up questions were asked on what other needs should be addressed in the revised plan.
What will the newSCORP include?

  • An evaluation of the supply and demand for outdoor recreation resources and facilities;
  • Areas and populations that lack access to public parks and outdoor recreation opportunities, and the types of outdoor recreation facilities that would provide these areas and populations with the greatest benefits;
  • Areas where outdoor recreation facilities need upgrades or improvements;
  • Estimate the economic benefit of outdoor recreational activities; and
  • Identify potential new outdoor recreational facilities that may increase the economic benefits for New Mexico residents.
  • An implementation program that identifies strategies, priorities, and action

Survey Respondents:

The Plan Audit survey solicited responses from a variety of outdoor recreation professionals and agencies across the state of New Mexico. The Plan Audit survey was sent to the SCORP Advisory Committee, including the State Parks Advisory Board, SCORP stakeholders, and the New Mexico Parks and Recreation Association. A total of 62 responses were collected.

Of the respondents that represented an agency, 12 had a current master plan or capital improvement plan for parks, recreation, trails, or open space. Three agencies are currently in a planning process to update their plan. Fourteen agencies didn’t have a plan in place.

The New Mexico Parks and Recreation Association membership includeslocal park, recreation and open space agencies from across the country. Their input is vital to the SCORP public process. Eighteen survey respondents were affiliated with NMPRA. Another handful were associated with the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, NM Outdoor Coalition, and Take it Outside NM. Responses came from all regions of the state which included (in part) Albuquerque, Cimarron, Clovis, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and Farmington.

Promote the Livability of All Communities

Very & Somewhat Important / Very Important / Somewhat Important / Neutral / Not at all Important
% / % / % / % / %
Rehabilitate, update, and upgrade existing public outdoor recreation facilities. / 95.6% / 75.6% / 20.0% / 4.4% / 0.0%
Improve access of populations that are under‐served (e.g., seniors, young adults, Latinos, and Native American populations). / 93.3% / 60.0% / 33.3% / 8.9% / 0.0%
Create other opportunities for youth to engage in outdoor activities / 93.1% / 63.6% / 29.5% / 4.5% / 2.3%
Building new facilities in geographic areas that are currently underserved / 88.9% / 53.3% / 35.6% / 11.1% / 2.2%
Increase education and awareness of the benefits and values of outdoor recreation in terms of human character and health. / 86.7% / 55.6% / 31.1% / 13.3% / 0.0%
Incorporate statewide health and fitness programs into state and local outdoor recreation systems. / 80.0% / 44.4% / 35.6% / 13.3% / 6.7%
Build more outdoor classrooms and playgrounds for children and youth. / 71.5% / 42.9% / 28.6% / 26.2% / 2.4%

Enhance Economic Vitality

Very & Somewhat Important / Very Important / Somewhat Important / Neutral / Not at all Important
% / % / % / % / %
Identify, develop and promote outdoor recreation activities and events that are unique to New Mexico. / 95.3% / 76.7% / 18.6% / 4.7% / 0.0%
Promote outdoor recreation events and destinations that attract day travelers and overnight visitation / 88.6% / 56.8% / 31.8% / 13.6% / 0.0%
Improve existing outdoor recreation facilities to maximize marketability to out-of-region/state visitors. / 86.3% / 56.8% / 29.5% / 13.6% / 0.0%
Research the economic benefits of outdoor recreation in New Mexico in order to promote public awareness of its economic benefits and values. / 84.0% / 54.5% / 29.5% / 13.6% / 2.3%
Create partnerships with businesses such as convention and visitor bureaus, recreation equipment vendors, and guide services to increase recreation tourism. / 81.9% / 61.4% / 20.5% / 18.2% / 0.0%
Create new outdoor recreation facilities to maximize marketability to out-of-region/state visitors / 72.1% / 37.2% / 34.9% / 27.9% / 0.0%

Properly Use and Conserve Natural Resources

Very & Somewhat Important / Very Important / Somewhat Important / Neutral / Not at all Important
% / % / % / % / %
Identify and prioritize key local lands for acquisition that will conserve natural areas. / 84.1% / 56.8% / 27.3% / 13.6% / 2.3%
Increase/improve communication/collaboration between providers and partners. / 83.7% / 58.1% / 25.6% / 14.0% / 2.3%
Identify and prioritize key lands for acquisition that will expand and enhance the current State Park system. / 81.8% / 52.3% / 29.5% / 11.4% / 9.1%
Buy or acquire rights to land to preserve historic and archaeological sites in natural areas / 81.8% / 63.6% / 18.2% / 13.6% / 4.5%
Develop a dynamic, comprehensive GIS inventory of all federal, state, and local outdoor recreation amenities. / 81.4% / 37.2% / 44.2% / 14.0% / 7.0%
Use the GIS Inventory and public input to identify local areas lacking access to public parks. / 76.7% / 48.8% / 27.9% / 20.9% / 2.3%
Buy or acquire rights to lands generally located within 30 minutes from cities and towns. / 76.7% / 55.8% / 20.9% / 16.3% / 7.0%

Develop Trail Networks Statewide That Facilitate Recreation, Transportation and Healthy Lifestyles

Very & Somewhat Important / Very Important / Somewhat Important / Neutral / Not at all Important
% / % / % / % / %
Maintain the current trail system / 90.9% / 68.2% / 22.7% / 9.1% / 0.0%
Construct previously planned local trails within communities. / 90.7% / 67.4% / 23.3% / 11.6% / 0.0%
Complete regional trail connections between our cities and towns. / 86.4% / 70.5% / 15.9% / 13.6% / 0.0%
Develop infrastructure on existing trails such as parking, bathroom, trash cans, signage, etc / 86.4% / 45.5% / 40.9% / 13.6% / 0.0%
Provide more trailheads and access points close to home. / 86.0% / 46.5% / 39.5% / 9.3% / 4.7%
Plan new multi‐use, trails networks in our towns and communities. / 83.8% / 60.5% / 23.3% / 14.0% / 2.3%
Build backcountry trails that access open spaces or, provide access to remote areas (parks, forests, game lands, etc.). / 77.3% / 45.5% / 31.8% / 18.2% / 4.5%