TALLAHASSEE - The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service today announced the results of the 2011 Florida Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey. The study, which measured the satisfaction of Florida’s residents and visitors with current recreation opportunities in Florida and determined levels of participation for outdoor recreation activities, found that outdoor recreation is important to 98 percent of tourists and 96 percent of residents.

“This study is a great tool for Florida’s outdoor recreation providers, and will help us ensure that we are in tune with the recreational needs of the state’s citizens and visitors,” said DEP’s Florida Park Service Director Donald V. Forgione. “Outdoor recreation is not only a major contributor to Florida’s economy, but also educates and cultivates the next generation of environmental stewards.”

Responsive Management, a survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, surveyed nearly 4,000 Florida residents and nearly 3,000 tourists between April and October 2011 by telephone. Of the tourists surveyed, 97 percent said they were satisfied with the outdoor recreation opportunities in Florida, including 77 percent who are very satisfied. The majority of Florida residents (80 percent) are satisfied with the outdoor recreation opportunities in their county.

Nearly all participants (99 percent of residents and 96 percent of tourists) noted that spending time with family and friends is an important factor for participating in outdoor recreation .

Saltwater beach activities were the most popular among all participants—63 percent of residents and 49 percent of visitors enjoyed this activity in the past 12 months.   The next most popular activity among Florida residents was wildlife viewing, which 49 percent enjoyed in the last year. Forty-six percent went fishing, 44 percent enjoyed bicycling and 40 percent enjoyed a picnic outdoors in the last year. Forty-seven percent of tourists enjoyed wildlife viewing last year, followed by 37 percent who enjoyed picnicking, 29 percent of visitors who went swimming in public outdoor pools and 26 percent of tourists who visited historical or archaeological sites.

The Florida Park Service is not only one of Florida’s leading outdoor recreation providers with 160 state parks, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and eight state trails, but is also responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, in cooperation with other public recreation land managers, including and state and local recreation providers. This survey will be used to evaluate the supply, demand and need for outdoor recreation for the 2013 update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

By contributing to the quality of life for residents and the state’s desirability as a tourist destination, outdoor recreation in Florida stimulates the economy and creates jobs. Florida’s outdoor recreation program provides a diverse system of resources, facilities and programs. The 2011 Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey confirms that outdoor recreation opportunities are very important to Florida’s residents and tourists. View the complete survey.