A statistically valid survey (95% level of confidence, +-4.4%) of park users can help County and municipal park managers and planners make effective use of park assets and maximize the community benefit of parks. Data on who, how, and why people use or don't use a park can help facilitate decisions about park investment strategies.

In 2008, Westchester County contracted with a nationally recognized consultant to develop and administer a "Residents Recreation Preferences Survey". That survey presented information on uses of the County park system, types of recreational activities county residents enjoy and want developed, and what County facilities residents are familiar with and visit.

As the County population continues to change in its ethnic and age composition, residents may become interested in different recreational activities, which may require changes in park facilities and capital investment. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a significant increase of use to the park system. The County wants to respond according to these changes in order to make strategic investments in maintaining and improving its parks.

It is also important for the County to obtain information from its residents regarding their use of County facilities, what they think about those facilities and how more residents can be attracted to use County recreational facilities.

Due to the proximity to New York City, Westchester's park system serves as a regional resource with significant park usage by non-county residents. Secondary to resident needs is a better understanding of non-county users and possibly access regional funding sources.

The consultant will develop a questionnaire based in part on the 2008 questionnaire for a random survey of at least 750 countywide residents or a sample size determined to be statistically valid to address the following additional issues:

1. Current involvement of residents in recreational activities in general.
2. Residents' awareness/use of County parks/facilities/programs for residents of sub-regions of Westchester County.
3. Identify the most preferred park facilities.
4. Identify who the users of County parks are in terms of residence (zip code), race, age, sex and income.
5. Identify unmet recreational needs by race, age, sex, income, and types of facilities residents would like to see developed.
6. Identify the transportation, parking and access needs of the residents to get to County parks and programs, including transportation needs for residents of urban neighborhoods.
7. Identify non-park users and why they don't use the parks.
8. Identify the public preference for user fees vs. a tax levy based system.
9. Identify whether the public recognizes the benefits the parks system provides in relation to personal health, family life, constructive use of time, youth employment, economic benefits, etc.
10. Identify specific and emerging trail user needs.
11. Identify the need for additional ball fields and facilities in the county.
12. Conduct time series analysis between 2008 survey and the 2021 survey.
13. Tabulate and analyze existing park user data obtained by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.
14. Conduct a manual or automated counting of bicycle and pedestrian trailway usage in peak and non-peak seasons.
15. Conduct a manual or automated counting of non-monitored parking lot utilization by day and time of week during peak and non-peak seasons.
16. Develop a long-term QR code continuous survey and feedback system for park kiosks and trailheads.
17. Establish a web site that will be home to the results of the statistical survey, the continuous QR survey analysis as well as a public comment and Departmental feedback blog.
18. Evaluate the extent to which changes in park use during the COVID-19 pandemic may be temporary or may result in permanent shifts in park use following the pandemic.

For more information, please visit https://rfp.westchestergov.com/rfp/rfps