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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 children
Without children
Analysis of public households with children is in progress
Cortlan
dOth
er
Homer
Cortlan
dville
Dryden
Groto
n
Mara
thon
McG
raw Virgil
Freevil
leIth
aca
Lansin
g
McLe
an 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
Wate
rman
Other
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
rogra
ms
Educational
progra
ms
Art an
d cultu
re progra
msOth
er0
102030405060708090
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
oodsOth
er0
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
Map
le Suga
ring D
ay
Christm
as Tree Sa
le
Music
in th
e Hollow
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 th
e Hollow
Map
le Suga
ring D
ay
Holiday
at th
e Hollow
Holiday
Wreath
Mak
ing
Ski R
entals
Moonlig
ht Snowsh
oeing0
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
Progra
m
Staff quali
fications
Nature-bas
ed
Loca
tionCost
Cleanlin
ess
Progra
m topics
Reputation
Hours of o
peraion
Variety
of facil
ities
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
syste
m
Interpretive
trail
s
Wild
life re
hab ar
ea
Observa
tory
Children's g
arden
Educational
class
spac
e
Fitness
trail s
ystem
Trail th
at all
ows dogs
Living h
istory
area
Natural
/cultu
ral exh
ibits
Organic
store
Ropes course
Community ga
rden
Increase
d acce
ssibilit
y
Outdoor e
d building
Other
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
0
10
20
3040
50
6070
80
90100
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-Newsletter
Television
Radio
LH Website
Other
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent
Overall Best Method of Communication to the Public
Other
E-Newsletter
Radio
Television
Website
-10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
How Members First Learn About Lime Hollow
Friend
s
Schoo
l
Poste
rs o
r flye
rs
Broch
ure
Radio
Newsle
tter
Televis
ion
pro
mot
ion0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
Best Way to Communicate to Members
E-New
slette
r
Newsle
tter
Web
site
Newsp
aper
Oth
er
Faceb
ook
Friend
s
Schoo
l
pro
mot
ion
Broch
ure
City o
r tow
n pu
blica
t...
Televis
ion
Poste
rs o
r flye
rs
Radio
-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
Wednesd
ay
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
rogra
ms
City tr
ansp
ortation
Other
Diff. Hours
Better Acce
ssibilit
y
Specifi
c Pro
grams
05
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?
