Authors

Fangqi Chen, Flandre Dong, Han Xiao

Research Question

The model to develop an assessment of need for outdoor recreation facilities is outdated, relies on old assumptions and technology, and needs to be modernized. Furthermore, it needs to be developed in such a way that it's repeatable. ORPHP has undertaken a project with Syracuse University Maxwell School Master's students to develop a proposal for modernization and update. OPRHP is requesting that CUSP students review this proposal, suggest any changes or improvements, and then implement the model to output a new index of need. The model must be repeatable and the data inputs must be easily updated.

Background

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) would like to engage students to provide an update to the analytical process that describes the need for outdoor recreation facilities in New York State. The project reviews work completed to date on the modernization of the analytical process that assesses and articulates the need for public outdoor recreation facilities/spaces at the county level in New York State. The project also involves developing an automated way to update the outdoor recreation supply database.

To maintain eligibility for National Park Service (NPS) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) monies, NYS OPRHP must produce a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan every 10 years. NYS Parks law also requires a statewide recreation plan, updated on a regular basis. As part of these planning initiatives, an assessment of publicly accessible outdoor recreation supply, demand for public outdoor recreation and the gap or need for additional facilities is conducted. The scope of this project is to update the public outdoor recreation facility database and revise the analytical process to determine the need for outdoor recreational facilities at the county level. A review of the methodology to collect demand data is also encouraged.

Methodology

Historically, the analysis of need for outdoor recreation facilities has been conducted through an outdated and difficult-to-replicate model. The model cannot be automated and relies on inputs that are outdated, only updating the supply and demand portion. The current model has been supplied along with the thinking that went into developing it. It is the expectation that this model is modernized. It can be completely replaced with new research and methodologies. The new model must be easily updated and ideally automated so it can be run/refreshed whenever the data is updated.

The need for this analytical work is outlined in the LWCF program manual (Chapter 2, section A - State Plan Preparation, Procedures and Eligibility, 4 - SCORP Requirements, C - Comprehensive Plan Section).

Deliverables

• Automated data update process and implementation of this process
• Easily repeatable/updatable model to assess the need for outdoor recreation resources
• Ability to factor in additional variables, such as environmental justice, without having to change the entire model

Data Sources

• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
  • Recreation Facility Inventory System (RFIS)
  • Public Outdoor Recreation Survey (longitudinal survey data, outlining public outdoor recreation participation rates)
  • Historic Analysis of Need (RIN files)
  • 2020-2025 NYS Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Appendix F - Market Research Plans

• New York Natural Heritage Program: New York Protected Areas Database (NYPAD)