Listening to visitors to shape country parks
The results are now in for the 2009 survey of all of Warwickshire County Council’s Country Parks.
Every year the Country Parks Service carries out a survey of visitors to find out how satisfied they are with the services provided at the parks, and what could be improved.
This year 659 visitors completed the questionnaire, handed out at Ryton Pools, Burton Dassett, Kingsbury, Hartshill and Pooley Country Parks during August.
And the results make interesting reading, for example:
When it comes to repeat visits Kingsbury Water Park in North Warwickshire is the winner where 43% said they visited between 1 and 5 times a year.
Perhaps not surprisingly most visits to all the parks were made on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The main method of transport to the parks was by car.
Leaflets are still the preferred method of finding out information, but people are responding more to the website as a way of obtaining information.
Respondents were also asked to rate the facilities and staff at the parks:
Overall the responses were very positive with 51 out of 67 different areas receiving a combined score of more than 80% for very good or good.
The vast majority (96%) agreed that the parks were good value for money.
Top reasons for visits to Country Parks were:
Walking and picnicking with the family/friends
Dog walking
Play areas.
A general theme that appeared in many responses was enjoyment of the fresh air in a safe and relaxed environment.
Paula Cheesman, Country Parks Visitor Manager said: “Our surveys are an important tool to gauge opinions about our parks in addition to the yellow comment cards people can fill in on site at any time. We do take all comments both good and bad seriously, and strive to improve our service and facilities accordingly.”
The results of the survey have now been published and can be viewed or downloaded from our website, or a copy will be sent to any of the respondents who asked for one.
Visitors do not have to wait for the annual visitor survey to give their views; postage paid suggestion and comment cards are available at all of Warwickshire’s country parks.
For further information on Warwickshire’s eight country parks and picnic areas, call Kingsbury Water Park 01827 872660 or visit the website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parks