Pennsylvanians Asked to Share Ideas On Outdoor Recreation at Public Meetings in June

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 21 PA-recreation-meeting
HARRISBURG, Pa., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania residents are invited to share their ideas on how to improve outdoor recreation opportunities at three public meetings to be held throughout the state in early June, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley announced today.

"Part of DCNR's mission to create healthy and livable communities includes successfully serving the recreation needs of those who live, work and play in them," Quigley said. "We want the public to play a part in setting the priorities for state recreation planning and funding for the next five years and beyond."

Pennsylvania produces a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan every five years that provides citizens, policymakers and recreation professionals with a snapshot of current trends and issues in outdoor recreation. The plan helps set the agenda for state recreation policy, planning, funding and implementation.

The meetings will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• June 1: Four Points by Sheraton, Pittsburgh North, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, Allegheny County
• June 2: Ramada Conference Center, 1450 S. Atherton St., State College, Centre County
• June 3: DeSales University, University Center, Gerald White Pavilion, 2755 State Ave., Center Valley, Lehigh County
  

Over the past 18 months, DCNR has identified four major themes for its draft recommendations in the plan:

• Align planning efforts to provide more integrated outdoor recreation opportunities;
• Connect outdoor recreation and conservation to Pennsylvania's economy and the health and quality of life of its residents;
• Reconnect people to the natural environment and develop an environmental stewardship ethic in all segments of the population; and
• Develop a statewide trail network including addressing priority trail gaps.
  

The public meetings will include presentations from Penn State University faculty who have conducted four statewide recreation surveys to provide the data on which the plan recommendations are drawn.

The surveys include a statewide resident survey on recreation needs and preferences; a targeted state park survey to identify recreation participation trends and facility needs; a trail gap analysis sent to trail-user groups; and a series of facilitated discussion sessions with minority youth and baby boomers.

For more information, or to review and comment on the draft plan, visit www.paoutdoorrecplan.com.




SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources