The Goucher Poll asked Maryland residents for their perspectives regarding Maryland state parks. Marylanders were asked about park use, activities, goals, and how the Maryland Park Service could best inform them about parks.
Use and Visitation of Maryland State Parks
The 72 percent of residents who visited a Maryland state park at least once during the past year were asked to rate their overall experience on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). A large majority (76 percent) rate their experience at Maryland state parks at a 4 or 5.
Slightly more than half of Maryland residents indicate they are “very interested” in visiting a Maryland state park during the next year; 34 percent indicate they are “somewhat interested” in visiting a park. Fourteen percent of residents say they are “not at all interested” in visiting a Maryland state park during the upcoming year.
Park Activities
Marylanders were asked to rate—on a scale of 1 (very unlikely) to 5 (very likely)—how likely they would be to participate in activities offered at the various parks across the state. The top three activities Marylanders stated they were most likely to participate were relaxing, visiting historic sites, and hiking/walking.
Percent Likely to Participate (4 or 5)
- Relaxing—79 percent
- Visiting Historic Sites—68 percent
- Hiking or Walking—67 percent
- Picnicking—64 percent
- Swimming—40 percent
- Biking—36 percent
- Camping—32 percent
- Fishing—32 percent
- Canoeing or Kayaking—30 percent
Park Goals
Marylanders were then asked to rate—on a scale of 1 (not important at all) to 5 (very important)—how important it is for the Maryland Park Service to achieve specific goals.
Eighty percent or more deem it very important to preserve historic sites, connect children to nature, improve natural areas for wildlife, and conserve more land to protect natural resources.
Percent Indicating Goal Is Important (4 or 5)
- Connect Children to Nature—86 percent
- Preserve Historic Sites—86 percent
- Improve Natural Areas for Wildlife—83 percent
- Conserve More Land to Protect Natural Resources—80 percent
- Improve Outdoor Recreation Opportunities—72 percent
- Provide More Environmental Educational Opportunities—71 percent
Getting Information About Maryland State Parks
Twenty-four percent of residents indicate email would be the best way for the Maryland Park Service to get them information about state parks; another 19 percent said receiving mailers, fliers, or newsletters would be the best way. Fourteen percent would like to get information through TV advertisements, and 12 percent think social media—such as Facebook or Twitter—is the best way.
“We were happy once again to gauge resident perceptions toward state parks in our fall poll. Results suggest that Marylanders have a positive view of their state parks and look forward to spending time in them this coming year,” said Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center. “We hope the survey can assist the Maryland Park Service in planning future programming and services for all residents to enjoy.”
For full results, please visit www.goucher.edu/hughescenter.
The poll, conducted September 28 to October 2, surveyed a dual-frame (landlines and cell phones) random sample of 708 Maryland residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. The sample is of all Maryland residents and does not restrict by registered or likely voters.
About this Project
In addition to its regular release of data that reflect the most pressing statewide issues, the Goucher Poll also works with community partners in the “Polling for the Public Good” series. Through partnerships with government and nonprofit entities, additional questions are included in the poll to shed light on issues that provide collective benefits to Marylanders.
In exchange for a series of questions on the Goucher Poll, the Maryland Park Service gave students a firsthand experience of working with a governmental agency and the opportunity to present their work to members of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Under the guidance of the director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center, Goucher undergraduate students helped design the survey instrument, analyze the data, and co-author the executive report.
This project exemplifies the Goucher College commitment to experiential learning and the integration of environmental issues into the academic curriculum. We are thankful for this opportunity for student learning and to provide valuable information on public perceptions of Maryland state parks to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.