In September and October, Trail Conference Stewards stationed at Breakneck Ridge in Hudson Highlands State Park, on the Appalachian Trail in Bear Mountain State Park, and on several summits in the Catskill Forest Preserve collected 303 responses to the 10-question Trail User Survey.
Jennifer Ghahari, Ph.D., volunteered her expertise and analyzed the data we gathered to identify trends and unique aspects of the hiking experience in the Hudson Valley. Understanding who these trail users are, including their expectations, interests, and other key data, enables the Trail Conference and its partners to be better prepared to support and educate the public.
The survey produced some interesting observations. The Catskills draws a lot of first-time visitors, had the youngest visitors, and hikers went there to experience nature and relax. At Breakneck Ridge, the survey indicated that word of mouth was the most popular method of finding out about the destination.
We are pleased to share this data and our preliminary analysis with you; the presentation may be downloaded below. As more people head outdoors to enjoy public open space, the need to protect natural places has become paramount. Our partners can count on the Trail Conference to stay focused on issues that affect trails in the region, bringing together key constituencies, marshaling resources, and seizing opportunities to keep growing and improving our public trail systems while maintaining the ecological integrity of trail lands.
The 2017 Trail and Summit Steward program was made possible with lead support from REI and generous contributions from Mountain Tops, Dutchess County Tourism, Michelle Smith, Seamus Carroll, Catskill 3500 Club, Catskill Mountain Club, Hunter Foundation, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy. We are hopeful that enough funds can be raised to field Stewards in 2018, and that we can continue the collection of information from trail users to better serve the public and protect these amazing trails and outdoor spaces.
