National Association of Recreation Resource Planners Conference April 28, Becky Kelley

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1 National Association of Recreation Resource Planners Conference April 28, 2009 Becky Kelley

2 Georgia Code requires DNR to: Appraise recreational needs Assist local governments in recreational planning Promote recreation institutes and conferences Help establish and promote recreation standards Submit report to Governor and notify Legislature Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): SCORP is required to maintain eligibility for federal funds from the LWCF SCORP must be updated every five years; current plan expires 2007 LWCF grants help state & local governments acquire, redevelop and rehabilitate outdoor recreation facilities and resources

3 SCORP Team Georgia DNR contracted with the University of Georgia to develop SCORP: Fanning Institute (project management) Carl Vinson Institute (surveys) Institute of Ecology (Inventory / GIS mapping) Warnell School of Forestry, Natural Resources & Tourism (trends analysis / benchmarking) Funding for SCORP was provided by: Georgia DNR - PRHSD & WRD Divisions Georgia Recreation & Park Association Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

4 Georgia DNR - PRHSD, WRD, CRD divisions Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs Georgia Dept. of Econ. Development/Tourism Georgia Dept. of Human Resources (Public Health) University of Georgia Association County Commissioners of Georgia Georgia Municipal Association Georgia Conservancy Georgia Wildlife Federation Georgia Recreation & Park Association Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites And more SCORP Partners

5 Timeline & Overview Conduct surveys, assessments, inventories, focus groups and public meetings Report findings Public review and comment Final SCORP Transmittal letter signed by Governor then SCORP forwarded to NPS Summer/Winter st Quarter/Spring 2007 Summer 2007 August 2007 September 2007 Public review and comment Draft SCORP to DNR Board SCORP to DNR Board for Adoption (August 28, 2007)

6 The Cover - An immediate image maker Logo creates a 'brand' & pictures help people see themselves in the discussion

7 Simple, clear format... easy & inviting to scan or read.

8 Always a good idea to connect to your Governor's priorities... and it doesn't hurt to include pictures of his grandkids, too.

9 Maximize key messages through imagery Muir quote gives historical context & Tallulah Gorge hikers invite consideration of diversity

10 Easy to Navigate Visual Messaging Interesting to Read

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13 Supply, Usage Patterns & Expressed Demand

14 Georgia SCORP Data-Driven Decision Making Comprehensive inventory of local, state & federal outdoor recreation and conservation resources Trends and benchmarks analysis Statistically valid public opinion survey covering state regions and demographics

15 Georgia SCORP Grass Roots Public Involvement Seven town hall meetings across the state Online website comment Multiple focus and stakeholder groups Multiple speaking engagements

16 Multiple Focus Groups... 3 simple questions resulted in great depth of understanding

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20 Trends Affecting Outdoor Recreation

21 Cause for Concern & Action Rapid urbanization & loss of greenspace Significant demographic transitions Obesity epidemic & declining public health Diminished conservation ethic Local communities want economic growth Growing support for outdoor recreation

22 Georgia s Explosive Growth

23 Concerted effort to make a direct connection to health... Obesity is at epidemic levels in Georgia.

24 Georgian s Declining Health Obesity Diabetes Percent

25 Georgia Obesity Data Overlaid on Recreation Areas (State and Local Parks)

26 Physical Activity Levels Among Adults in Georgia (2005) 17% Inactive 42% Regularly Active 41% Insufficiently Active Our Target Market Source: Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

27 Georgians Disconnection with Nature A remedy for what ails us: Outdoor recreation opportunities promote healthy physical activity, reconnect our citizens with the outdoors & build the next generation of environmental stewards

28 Priorities

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30 Promote Health, Fitness and Livability of All Communities We must act now to make tangible contributions toward healthy living by reinforcing the connection between health, quality of life and outdoor recreation.

31 Enhance Economic Vitality We must act now to support and maintain Georgia s outdoor recreation resources so that we remain attractive to new business and industry, draw tourists across our borders and grow our tax base.

32 Conserve and Properly Use Natural Resources We must act now to conserve our natural resources and wildlife so that we stay ahead of the state s rapid population growth, take advantage of the recent increase in support among Georgians for conservation and cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards.

33 Questions we asked about the Priorities to set Strategic Actions Why pursue this direction? What challenges lie ahead? Why must we act now?

34 Strategic Actions

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37 Implications for Land & Water Conservation Fund & Georgia Law

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39 Summary of SCORP / LWCF Criteria State & federal funding of Georgia s outdoor recreation needs will go to jurisdictions that: 1. Have/create a comprehensive recreation plan 2. Improve the health, livability & economic vitality of their community through recreation 3. Conserve & properly use natural resources 4. Leverage service delivery approaches & funding opportunities 5. Are economically challenged/disadvantaged

40 Summary of SCORP / LWCF Criteria Project evaluation criteria was developed to match SCORP goals & objectives. Points & scoring was designed to encourage applicants to adopt specific practices and thereby improve their competitiveness in subsequent years. A separate category was created for Disadvantaged Communities to ensure their applications would be competitive among similar communities.

41 SCORP s Direction to DNR Lead the way and share the tools: Facilitate an ongoing discussion Maintain inventory of recreation resources Establish recreation & natural resource standards (Best Management Practices - BMPs) Provide technical and planning assistance to local governments to help them: Analyze return on investment Leverage funding & service delivery approaches Improve health & livability Conserve or buy park land efficiently & effectively

42 DNR In Action A Healthy Georgia A continuing PRHSD initiative to foster an interest in health awareness, fitness and outdoor recreation Provides structured recreation activities and events in a safe, natural environment, to facilitate fitness and healthy living in Georgia's great outdoors, especially at state parks Launched last June to coincide with National Great Outdoors Month and a Governor's proclamation for Georgia Great Outdoors Month

43 A direct outcome of SCORP:

44 Get Outdoors (GO) Georgia objectives: Educate & inspire Georgians to Get Out. Get Dirty. Get Fit. Resonate with individuals, kids & families Actively engage health & human services providers to partner with park & recreation agencies Work on both state & local levels 44

45 GO GA introduces a fun-loving Gopher (and family) who can encourage all to Go for a walk. Go for a hike. Go for a ride. Go for a day or a stay in a Georgia State or Local Park. 45

46 State Parks Recreation Challenge Clubs 46

47 Goal is to provide one-stop web link for all recreation areas in Georgia 47 47

48 New Outdoor Activity Calorie Counter Guide 48

49 Partnering with the Georgia State Library System to make ParkPasses available at every public library in the State. 49

50 Online locator map for Library Loan Program 50

51 A Good Fit Working to make Georgia healthier, more fit! Your Park System Here?

52 The Ultimate Goal - Change Behaviors that will result in: Healthier, more sustainable Georgia Abundant, protected natural resources Responsive, accessible recreation opportunities Thriving and sustainable communities

53 For More Information georgiastateparks.org/scorp Becky Kelley or Antoinette Norfleet Georgia State Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites Division