Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture: A Survey of the Perceptions of the Residents of

Cortland & Tompkins Counties

REC 407: Evaluation and Research ClassRecreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department

REC 407 Evaluation & Research ClassResearch Team

• Dr. Lynn Anderson• Ben Banker • John Gus Banuski • Amber Busby • Adam Campbell • Megan Ellison • Amanda Florance • Bill Hein • Jenna Holden • Brett Keating • Mitch Lemery

• Catie Maczko • Kurt Madden • Juleen Matthews • Matt Porebski• Brendan Rafferty• Charles Rhode • Dan Shearin • Jen Stark • Tom Szevin • Jacky Thomson• Erik Wilson

Purpose of the Study

To determine how LHCEC can best meet the needs of the greater Cortland/Ithaca area while still remaining true to its mission

To examine the current perceptions and knowledge of Lime Hollow

To identify the outdoor recreation/ outdoor education interests of the community at large

Lime Hollow History Glaciers formed Lime

Hollow’s natural features Lime Hollow area contains

many unique features Marl ponds, bogs, vernal

pools Excellent aquifer Lehigh Valley Rail

(abandoned its use in 1960) LHNC founded in 1993 Culmination of efforts over

twenty years

Today… 2007 – new visitor center opened

Exhibits, educational displays, gift shop 2009 – Lime Hollow received over 20,000

visitors Many programs

Creatures of the Night, Art Fest, Maple Sugaring Day, a Fishing Festival, Snake Night, and Birds of Prey, Summer camp

Over 3,000 student visits every year Only 2 full-time staff

Summary of the 2002 Study

Study completed by RPLS faculty and graduate students

Public telephone survey Lime Hollow member

mailed survey

Summary of the 2002 Study

Majority of population saw a need for environmental education

Lime Hollow played an important role in the Cortland/Ithaca area

Summary of the 2002 Study Main reason for not being involved with Lime

Hollow was lack of awareness

Newspapers were the best way to spread awareness of Lime Hollow

Support for a new visitor center

Why does LHCEC need this study now?

Strategic planning Decision-making Program, facility

and service development

Grant applications Facility

improvement

Review of Related Literature

People and nature Benefits of

environmental/outdoor education

Review of Related Literature

Benefits of camp Economic impacts

Methods – Member Survey

Current membership, activities, and participation

Evaluation of current programs and facilities

Evaluation and input of camp programming

Sections of Survey

Input on future programs, services, and facilities

Facilitators and benefits

Demographics

Member survey link:http://survey.cortland.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=p2KK796

Methods – Member Survey

Procedures Email survey Asked to complete it within two weeks of

receiving it A secondary reminder e-mail Opportunity to enter a drawing for free

week of summer camp, a hoodie, or free holiday tree after completing the survey

Sampling All members of Lime Hollow

Methods – Public Survey 23 questions to assess the general public’s

awareness, ideas, and opinions about Lime Hollow Reasons to attend Lime Hollow and other nature

centers Program and facility interest Facilitators and benefits Demographics

Link to public survey:

http://survey.cortland.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=p2KK896

Methods – Public SurveySampling: Population

Tompkins County (approx. 102,000)

Cortland County (approx. 48,000)

Systematic random sample Every 3rd person over 3 days at a large

community business that serves the region Sample size needed

380 with a 5% margin of error

Methods – Public Survey As customers entered the

new Super Walmart, we systematically surveyed them using iPads

Students greeted every 3rd person and gave a brief introduction to the survey

Lime Hollow donated items to raffle off for those who completed a survey and entered the drawing

Data Analysis

Descriptive statistics using Select Survey and Excel

Results Public survey response rate:

Approximately 42% N = 368 Margin of error = +/-5%

Member survey response rate: Approximately 35% N = 105 Margin of error = +/- 7%

Description of Survey Respondents

Age and Gender of Respondents in the Public Sample

0-10 Years

11-20 Years

21-30 Years

31-40 Years

41-50 Years

51-60 Years

61-70 Years

71 or More

0

5

10

15

20

25

Male %Female %

Perc

ent o

f res

pond

ents

Age and Gender of Respondents in the Member Sample

0-10 years

11-20 Years

21-30 Years

31-40 Years

41-50 Years

51-60 Years

61-70 Years

70 or more

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Male %Female %

Perc

ent o

f res

pond

ents

Respondent Member Households with Children

55%

45%

With childrenWithout children

Analysis of public households with children is in progress

Cortlan

dOther

Homer

Cortlan

dville

Dryden

Groton

Marathon

McGraw Virg

il

Freevil

leIth

aca

Lansin

g

McLean Etna

Varna

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Member

Public

Perc

ent o

f res

pond

ents

Where do you reside?

How long have you resided in the area?(members only)

Less Than 5 Years

5-9 Years

10-15 Years

Longer than 15 Years

Never

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70Pe

rcen

t

Years as Member of Lime Hollow

1-3 years4-6 years

7-10 years11-15 years

15-20 years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Perc

ent

Type of Membership

Family Individual Lifetime Affiliate Contributor Corporate0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Public Awareness of Nature Centers and Lime Hollow

What nature centers are you familiar with by name?

Lime Hollo

w

Sapsu

cker W

oods

Cayuga

Beaver L

ake

Rogers

Baltimore W

oods

Waterm

anOther

0102030405060708090

100

Perc

ent

Been to Lime Hollow?

56%

44%

Public That Has Been To Lime Hollow

YesNo

How did the public rate visits to Lime Hollow?

Excellent Good Neutral Fair Poor0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Evaluation of Overall Experience

Per

cent

Why the Public Visits Lime Hollow

Nature exp

erience

s

Exerci

se

Recreati

on

School P

rograms

Educational

programs

Art and cu

lture progra

msOther

0102030405060708090

100

Reasons for Visiting Lime HollowPe

rcen

t

More Information About Lime Hollow?

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

52% 48%

Does the Public Want More Information About Lime Hollow?

Yes No

Public and Member Use of Nature Centers

Frequency of Lime Hollow Visits

One or More Times Per

Week

Once or Twice a Month

Once Every Other Month

Once or Twice a Year

Other0

20

40

60

80

100

Visit Frequency

Perc

ent o

f Res

pond

ents

How often do you visitother nearby nature centers?

Once or twice a

year

Never Once every other

month

Once or twice a month

One or more

times a week

Other0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

MembersPublic

Frequency of use

Perc

enta

ge o

f res

pond

ents

Which other nature centers do you visit?

Sapsu

cker W

oods

Cayuga

Nature Center

Beaver L

ake Natu

re Center

Rogers

Environmental

Edu. Center

Baltimore W

oodsOther

0

20

40

60

80

100Public %Member %

What season do you use Lime Hollow most?

(members only)

Summer Fall Winter Spring0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Season of most use

Perc

enta

te R

espo

nden

ts

Which facilities do members use the most at Lime Hollow?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Perc

enta

ge o

f Mem

bers

ProgramInterest

Public Interest in Lime Hollow’s Ongoing Programs

Guided Nature Walks

Creatures of the Night

Wildlife Identification

Stargazing

Day Camp Program

Snake Night

Lime Hollow-Cortalnd Bird Club

Volunteer Opportunites

Nature's Keepers

Primitive Skills Workshop

Woodland Whispers Newsletter

Travel Trunk Pre-School

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Public Interest in Lime Hollow’s Seasonal Programs

Fishing F

estiva

l

Maple Su

garin

g Day

Christm

as Tree Sa

le

Music in

the Hollo

w

Candlelig

ht/Moonlig

ht Snow-sh

oeing

Holiday

Wreath

Mak

ing

Holiday

at th

e Hollow

Ski R

entals

05

101520253035

Other Programs the Public Suggested

Education/Wildlife

Edu

Outdoor Rec

Crafts Children Activities

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

45%

30%

15% 10%

Member Interest in New Children’s Programs

Pre-school environmental ed program

Special events focused on children

More Nature-Keeper activities

Childcare program

Other

0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent

Member Interest in Childcare Services

Member Interest in Winter Programs

Ice Skating

Snowshoe worshop

Snowshoe rental

Winter environmental education

Cross-country ski workshop

Winter survival skills

WFR/WFA course

Winter camping

Snow sculpture competitionCross-country ski races (5k or

10k)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

More Winter Use if Programs Were Offered

Very Likely

Likely Neutral Unlikely Very Un-likely

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Member Interest in Family Programs

0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent

Other suggestions for programs:

Themes: Suggestions for

facilities Suggestions for

programs Suggestions for

environmental education

Program Evaluation

Member Evaluation of Ongoing Programs

Lime Hollow-Cortland Bird Club

Stargazing

Day Camp Program

Guided Nature Walks

Nature's Keepers

Travel Truck Pre-School

Primitive Skills Workshop

Volunteer Opportunities

Wildlife Identification

Woodland Whispers Newsletter

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Percentage of Members Who Have Never Participated in Ongoing Programs

StargazingPrimitive Skills Workshop

Travel Truck Pre-SchoolLime Hollow-Cortland Bird Club

Wildlife IdentificationNature's Keepers

Volunteer OpportunitiesGuided Nature Walks

Day Camp ProgramWoodland Whispers Newsletter

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Never Participated

Never Participated

Member Evaluation of Seasonal Programs

Christm

as Tree Sa

les

Snak

e Night

Creatures o

f the Nigh

t

Fishing F

estiva

ls

Music in

the Hollo

w

Maple Su

garin

g Day

Holiday

at th

e Hollow

Holiday

Wreath

Mak

ing

Ski R

entals

Moonlight S

nowshoeing

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Excellent Good

Fair Poor

Percentage of Members Who Have Never Participated in Seasonal Programs

Christmas Tree SalesSnake Night

Creatures of the NightFishing Festivals

Music in the HollowMaple Sugaring Day

Holiday at the HollowHoliday Wreath Making

Ski RentalsMoonlight Snowshoeing

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Never Participated

Never Participated

Open-Ended Comments on Programs

Constraints to participating• Money • Time• Updates

Positive feedback• New programs or services• Staff

Lime Hollow Camp

Percent of Member Respondents Whose Children Attend Camp

53%47%

YesNo

Satisfaction with Camp

Very sati

sfied

Satisfi

ed

Neutral

Dissati

sfied

Very diss

atisfi

ed0

102030405060708090

100

When school is out, camp is in!

Importance of Camp Qualities

Safety

Program

Staff quali

fications

Nature-base

d

Loca

tionCost

Cleanlin

ess

Program to

pics

Reputation

Hours of o

peraion

Variety

of facili

ties

Tradition

ACA accre

didation

Availb

ility o

f swim

ming0

102030405060708090

100 Very ImportantImportantNeutralUnimportantVery Unimportant

Importance of Qualities MeanSafety 4.87Staff qualifications 4.79Nature-based 4.60Cleanliness 4.47Cost 4.41Program 4.37Location 4.37Program topics 4.37Variety of facilities 4.29Reputation 4.21Hours of operation 4.19Tradition 3.63ACA accreditation 3.45Availability of swimming 2.80

How Well Does Lime Hollow Camp Serve Children with Disabilities?

Excellent Good Neutral Fair Poor0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Would You Recommend Lime Hollow Camp to Others?

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Interest in Facilities

Interest in New or Expanded Facilities

Expan

ded trail s

ystem

Interpretive tra

ils

Wildlife

rehab

area

Observatory

Children's g

arden

Educational

class

space

Fitness

trail s

ystem

Trail th

at all

ows dogs

Living h

istory

area

Natural

/cultu

ral exh

ibits

Organic s

tore

Ropes course

Community ga

rden

Increase

d acce

ssibilit

y

Outdoor ed build

ingOther

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Member Public

Ideas for a New Education Building• Environmentally friendly, sustainable• Sensation of being outdoors• Many windows• Architecture complements nature• Large multi-purpose rooms• Learning tools• Designated entrance, storage• Showers, larger bathrooms

Evaluation of Facilities

Evaluation of Lime Hollow Facilities

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90% ExcellentGoodFairPoorNever Participated

Satisfaction with Current Education Building

Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

N = 76Mean = 3.3

Member Loyalty

Why did you become a member of Lime Hollow?

05

10152025303540

Do you plan to renew your membership?

94%

6%

YesNo

Reasons for Renewal or Non-Renewal

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Benefits of Lime Hollow

Lime Hollow Contributes to Quality of Life in Our Community

Strongly agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

0102030405060708090

100

MemberPublic

Perc

ent

Member mean = 4.9Public mean = 4.5

Lime Hollow Contributes to Sense of Community

Strongly agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

0102030405060708090

100

MemberPublic

Perc

ent

Member mean = 4.5Public mean = 4.3

Lime Hollow Positively Impacts the Local Economy

Strongly agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

0102030405060708090

100

MemberPublic

Member mean = 4.2Public mean = 4.1

Lime Hollow Contributes Positively to the Environment

Strongly agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

0102030405060708090

100

MemberPublic

Member mean = 4.8Public mean = 4.4

We Need Lime Hollow in Our Community

Strongly agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

0102030405060708090

100

MemberPublic

Perc

ent

Member mean = 4.7Public mean = 4.5

Ways to Facilitate Increased Use of Lime Hollow

Communication

Best Print or Traditional Methods to Communicate with the Public

Newspaper

Mail Promotion

School

LH Newsle

tter

Brochure

Posters

or flye

rs

Friends

Other

City or T

own Publications

05

101520253035

Perc

ent

Best Electronic Method to Communicate with the Public

E-mail

Facebook

E-Newsletter

Television

Radio

LH Website

Twitter

Other

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percent

Overall Best Method of Communication to the Public

E-mail

Other

Facebook

E-NewsletterRadio

Television

WebsiteTwitter

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

How Members First Learn About Lime Hollow

Friend

s

Schoo

l

Poster

s or f

lyers

Brochu

reRad

io

Newsle

tter

Televis

ion

Mail pr

omoti

on0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Best Way to Communicate to Members

E-New

slette

r

E-mail

Newsle

tter

Web

site

Newsp

aper

Other

Faceb

ook

Friend

s

Schoo

l

Mail pr

omoti

on

Brochu

re

City or

town p

ublic

at...

Televis

ion

Poster

s or f

lyersRad

io

Twitter

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Do Members Read the Monthly eNewsletter?

Ways to Facilitate Increased Use of Lime Hollow

Scheduling

Best Days of Week for Programs

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Public PercentMem. Percent

Best Times on Weekdays for Programs

Before 8

8am-11am

11am-1pm

1pm-4pm

4pm-6pm

6pm-8pm

8pm on

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

PublicMember

Best Times on Weekends for Programs

Before 8am

8am-11am

11am-1pm

1pm-4pm

4pm-6pm

6pm-8pm

8pm-On

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

PublicMember

Ways to Facilitate Increased Use of Lime Hollow

Other Factors

Factors that Would Increase Use of Lime Hollow

Better Public

ation

Safe Bike

Route

Lower C

osts

Diff. Typ

es of P

rograms

City tra

nsporta

tionOther

Diff. Hours

Better Acce

ssibilit

y

Specifi

c Progra

ms05

10152025303540

Member %Public %

Perc

ent

Member Comments and Suggestions

Feedback from MembersCategories Themes Exemplary QuotesMember Appreciation:

Friendliness/Care/Dedication of Staff

"Lime Hollow has a great staff and often it is the people working the programs that determine their success.""The staff are very dedicated, friendly, and caring."

Improvements Made "Many thanks for the marvelous improvements that have been made since the nature center opened on McLean road."

Programming "Although we are child-free, we are delighted and encouraged by the depth and breadth of programming for children of all ages."

Feedback from MembersCategories Themes Exemplary QuotesMember Desires:

Areas to Socialize "Sometime we'd just like to hang out, meet other people, but it feels kind of awkward to do that at McLean Road. [We] would like to be able to do that more, somehow.“

Hands-on Experiences "They[members] may be more inclined to pay for 'experiences,' like holding or hunting with a hawk, learning to cook dessert over a fire or in a clay oven…but really they[Lime Hollow] need an attraction, something people would be willing to pay membership dues for.“

Feedback from MembersCategories Themes Exemplary QuotesMember Desires:(cont.) Specific Classes/Activities

Offered“I would really like to see a survival class taught. Outdoor/campfire cooking would be fun, Wilderness First Aid, identifying edible/medicinal plants, and cooking with native ingredients." "[I] would like to have more activities for active seniors.“

Specific Facilities "A safe bike route is one of the most important things to develop, along with a new education building.“

Preliminary Conclusions Lime Hollow is well regarded and well known Members and public see the benefits of Lime Hollow Trails, trails, trails Members have great ideas for new education building Seasonal programs are the most attended Winter use low Lime Hollow camps get an A+

Low support for childcare Members are loyal – they support the mission Electronic communication best Better publication of events & safe bike route needed Staff is cherished

Preliminary Recommendations Develop a trail master plan Develop a Facebook page that is updated

daily; continue with eNewsletter Further explore childcare; proceed carefully Involve members in development of new

education building Develop winter programs – if you offer they

will come! Continue your great work! The public and

members recognize and appreciate it!

What’s Next? Finalize analysis Written report Post findings on

website

Thank you to Glenn Reisweber and the LHCEC Board and Staff

Questions?