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Show 15.5 Recreational Activity Problems and Needs 15.5.1 Outdoor Recreation Survey It is important to know what kind of outdoor recreation is occurring in the basin. A major outdoor recreation survey was completed in 1991 on a statewide basis. It provided part of the data needed to update the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ( SCORP). In the Jordan River Basin, 52 percent of the 300 random household questionnaires were returned. The first question asked in the survey was: " What five ( 5) recreation activities do you most enjoy participating in as an individual?" Activities were selected from a prepared list. Figure 15- 1 shows the 45 recreational activities selected by residents as their favored individual recreational activities. Fishing was the number one response of residents, followed by walking, camping, golfing and picnicking. Another question asked was: " In order of preference, what five ( 5) recreation activities does your family as a whole most enjoy?" Developed camping becomes number one on the family chart ( Figure 15- 2); whereas, developed camping ( camping in developed areas with services) was number 3 on the individual participation list. Picnicking turned up second on the " family activity" list followed by fishing, driving\ sightseeing and pool swimming. Family outdoor recreation activity is significant to development, design and management decisions in terms of the types of activity and the magnitude or frequency of individual versus family/ group activity. Park use information validates the importance of providing group- use facilities at recreation sites. Another important aspect of the survey was its assessment of the need for improved recreational facilities. One question asked was: "... In my community, new opportunities/ facilities should be developed for the following recreation activities:". Golf and bicycling facilities topped the list, followed by swimming pools, picnicking facilities and playgrounds ( See Figure 15- 3). Another question asked in the survey was: " In my community, existing opportunities and/ or facilities should be improved for which of the following recreation activities?" The responses, selected from an attached list, closely resembled those given for the new facilities question. The existing facilities listed as most needing enhancement were picnicking, bicycling, swimming pools and golfing ( See Figure 15- 4). The final survey question asked: " What new facilities and opportunities are needed on a statewide basis ( outside the community or immediate area)?" Fishing and developed camping topped the list followed by golf, wildlife and nature study, and picnicking, as shown on Figure 15- 5. The first three also ranked high as local needs. Many of the preferred recreational activities and needed facilities involve direct contact with water and can be incorporated into future water development projects. 15.5.2 Jordan River Meander Corridor Salt Lake County passed an ordinance in 1994 that established a Jordan River Meander Corridor. The ordinance established the legal boundaries of the Jordan River's natural meander pattern, and set limits on the types of development and land uses that can occur within the designated corridor. In addition to addressing flooding concerns, water quality issues and having a positive impact upon wildlife, the creation of a meander corridor lends itself very well to the establishment of recreational facilities as one of the designated uses. Many of the cities that border the Jordan River ( Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Murray, Midvale, West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton and Bluffdale) are developing their own management plans for the Jordan River within their city boundaries. Many of these city plans reflect the county's efforts to establish a meander corridor and include the establishment of parkways and trails along the Jordan River stream banks. • 15- 4 |