Five years after Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Plan was written, recreation interests and trends may be different. Is walking still Pennsylvanians favorite outdoor activity? Do people still want trails and on-road bike lanes?

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with experts across the state to develop the next Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (2014-18), which will help to guide future recreation investments, policies and facilities.

A new plan is required every five years in order for Pennsylvania to qualify for federal Land and Water Conservation funding.

Citizen feedback is an important component to building the goals of the plan. In addition to a scientifically conducted survey earlier this year by Penn State University and a survey of recreation providers currently being developed, a general online survey is now open for Pennsylvanians wanting to share their opinions about outdoor recreation.

The survey is completely confidential and will just take a few minutes.  Click Here to take the survey.

After feedback from all three surveys is analyzed, a draft plan will be written in late summer and will be available for review and comment on the plan’s website. Feedback sessions will allow citizens, providers and interested stakeholders to give their input before a final document is presented to the National Park Service later this year.

Make sure your voice is heard by taking the survey.

For more information, visit DCNR’s PA Outdoor Recreation Plan webpage.

(Reprinted from April 2 DCNR Resource newsletter.)

4/7/2014