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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: November 21, 2002
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO PRESENT RECREATION SURVEY RESULTS AT PUBLIC MEETING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Survey Results will be Used to Establish Recreation Priorities

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will host a public meeting Monday, November 25, to discuss the results of a survey taken this fall that asked 4,000 randomly selected households for their opinions on plans for future development of public recreation facilities throughout Rhode Island. Fourteen hundred residents responded.

City and town recreation directors have been invited to the meeting, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the third floor cafeteria at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence. The public is also welcome and encouraged to respond in advance by calling 222-3434 ext. 4430.

The survey, funded by the National Park Service, was conducted for DEM by Leisure Vision/ETC Institute to establish priorities for the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The plan, last updated in 1992, provides guidance to federal, state, and local government, and to the private sector, in providing outdoor recreation resource opportunities in Rhode Island. The plan must be updated for the state and Rhode Island cities and towns to receive federal Land and Water Conservation Funds for acquisition of open space and development of outdoor recreational facilities. Those funds total over $1 million per year.

The information received from survey respondents will be a critical determinant for allocation of public resources under the recreation plan. The responses will be used in prioritizing acquisition, development and funding of public outdoor recreation areas, facilities and programs over the next five to ten years.

The professionally administered community attitude and interest survey was the last piece in a three-part survey process that was developed by DEM and partners, including RI Statewide Planning and municipal recreation officials, over the past two years. Previous components included interviews with state and municipal parks and recreation leaders in Rhode Island and interviews with Rhode Island beachgoers.

Leisure Vision/ETC Institute, an independent consulting company, administered the survey by mail. A consultant from the company followed up by telephone with residents who did not return the survey. Results of the survey can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov by clicking on Outdoor Recreation under Topics.

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For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer
rev. 2/23/04