Every five years, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducts a statewide survey of public needs and gathers an inventory of outdoor recreation assets. From those assessments, it formulates a policy document that provides guidance to local, state and federal facilities by recognizing trends and identifying needs.
One of the most important aspects of this Georgia Plan for Outdoor Recreation is planning how to distribute federal funds to cities, counties, and state agencies for outdoor recreation services. Securing input from the public, non-profit organizations and recreation professionals is critical.
The department is undertaking several approaches -- including focus groups, telephone surveys and public meetings, as well as meetings with the project’s Advisory Committee and the DNR Board.
Public meetings are set for:
Thursday, Oct. 22 at 5:30-7 p.m., Tift County Recreation Department, 401 Victory Drive, Tifton, 31794
Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 – 8:30 p.m., John Davis Recreation Center, 904 Civic Drive, Dalton, 30720
Monday, Nov. 16 at 5:30-7 p.m., Go Fish Center, 1255 Perry Parkway, Perry, 31069
The Georgia Plan for Outdoor Recreation is important because thriving communities are rich in greenspace. Parks give families places to explore and exercise, plus they increase property values. Additionally, recreation is serious business. Every year Americans spend $646 billion on outdoor recreation including gear, trips, vehicles, travel-related expenses and more. That generates 6.1 million American jobs. In Georgia, outdoor recreation brings in $23.3 billion per year in consumer spending, and 231,000 jobs are connected to outdoor recreation.
The Georgia Plan for Outdoor Recreation starts in 2017 and continues through 2021. This plan was formerly referred to as SCORP (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan). The website for the Georgia Plan for Outdoor Recreation 2017-2021 - www.GaStateParks.org/SCORP - will feature an overview of the initiative, a calendar of events, listing of the Advisory Committee, previous versions of the plan, and an opportunity for the public to submit thoughts and ideas.
A statewide public opinion survey addressing outdoor recreation was recently conducted by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. About 1,100 residents participated in the survey. Results are currently being analyzed and will be incorporated into the report.
“Feedback from the public allows us to explore changing recreational preferences, demographic trends and funding considerations to better anticipate future community needs,” said Becky Kelley, director of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “These public meetings, comments submitted through the website, and participation in the process provide the opportunity to be involved and DNR values this public input.”
The plan will focus on outdoor recreation through the lenses of (1) conservation, (2) public health and quality of life, (3) economic vitality and (4) greater financial sustainability. The 2017–2021 report will be submitted by Gov. Nathan Deal to the U.S. Department of Interior in October or November of next year.
For questions about the project, contact Antoinette Norfleet at 770-389-7264 orAntoinette.Norfleet@dnr.ga.gov or consultant Eric VanDeGenachte of Vanguard Contingent at 678-948-8467 or eric@vguardcon.com.