Chart Our Future City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Master Plan | Page 101

a growing preference for alternative outdoor recreation
activities. Footgolf is another example of an alternative
outdoor recreation activity that has increased as golf
course owners look for new uses for their assets.
Top Activities
The top activities identified by the IDNR community-wide
survey were pleasure walking and observing wildlife/
bird watching. Picnicking, using a playground, on-road
bicycling, and swimming at outdoor pools were also
among the most prevalent activities for Illinois residents.
Activities with lower participation numbers include
lacrosse, pickleball, snowmobiling, trapping, in-line
skating, sailing, and cross-country skiing. Reasons for
some sports having lower participation rates may include
smaller interest groups, no available facility, or that the
trend is still growing, like pickleball.
According to the survey, city parks or county preserves
are used most for visiting an amphitheater or band shell,
softball/baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and mountain biking.
State parks are used most for tent camping, vehicle
camping, hiking, motor boating, and water skiing. Federal
lakes or forests are primarily used for sailing, water skiing,
and motor boating. Hunting is the most prevalent reason
residents visit private areas for recreation.
property values. Most (56.3%) respondents believe
that local, state and federal open space and recreation
agencies are underfunded. The top two priorities for
providers in the state are the operation and maintenance
of existing park facilities and long-term planning and
management. The most important items in terms of park
and open space development are recreational facility
variety, followed closely by camping, trails, fishing, and
boating facilities. Regional and community trails are also
important to approximately 80% of respondents.
Outdoor Recreation Priorities
Priorities identified by the IDNR are listed in the 2015-2019
State of Illinois SCORP as:
• Healthy people and communities
• Access to outdoor recreation
• Natural resource stewardship
• Conservation education
• Cooperative partnerships
Attitudes about Outdoor Recreation
Respondents were asked to rate the various factors they
considered to be important when making decisions
about engaging in outdoor recreation opportunities.
Top contributing factors to respondent’s decisions
to participate in outdoor recreation activities include
exercise/health, experience nature, have fun, and spend
time with family and friends.
Survey respondents indicated that the primary role of
parks and recreation facilities for Illinois communities
should be to preserve open space. Other primary roles
include making the community more desirable, improving
fitness, enhancing a sense of place, and increasing
CONNECT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CITY OF LAKE FOREST PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
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