U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct visitor surveys at recreation areas this summer

Published June 7, 2012

 FORT WORTH, Texas – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Forth Worth District, announced today that it will conduct visitor surveys this summer at four lakes in Texas. Beginning June 11 through September 10, 2012, visitors exiting USACE-managed recreation facilities at Belton, Stillhouse Hollow, Whitney and Waco Lakes will be asked about their length of stay and overall experience. Participation in the survey is voluntary.

"This survey will give us vital baseline information, which we will use for budgeting and planning purposes," said Mary Coulombe, Chief of USACE Natural Resources Management Office. "We want to learn more about our visitors’ recreation habits to better plan for new trends in the ways our guests spend their leisure time at our parks. The findings will also help us ensure that the recreation facilities at our lakes are operating efficiently to maximize visitor outdoor opportunities and enjoyment."

Interns from the Student Conservation Association will conduct the interviews with visitors. The survey has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget.

USACE routinely conducts visitor interviews at its lake and river projects in an effort to gauge visitors’ experiences and concerns.

USACE is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 370 million visits per year. With 90 percent of these recreation areas within 50 miles of metropolitan areas they provide a diverse range of outdoor activities close to home and to people of all ages. The Fort Worth District operates 25 of these lakes in Texas with some of the largest numbers of visitors of any Corps District.

For more information on the survey and USACE recreation sites and opportunities, visit www.corpslakes.us/VisitorSurvey.

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About the Fort Worth District: The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established in 1950. The District is responsible for water resources development in two-thirds of Texas, and design and construction at military installations in Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico. Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and SWF Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Worth-District-US-Army-Corps-of-Engineers/188083711219308


Contact
Clay Church
817-886-1314

Release no. 12-030