A random selection of capital region residents is being surveyed for their views on regional parks and trails starting this week.
The survey, which follows a similar one in 2017, is intended to help determine the future direction for parks and trails in the Capital Regional District.
It’s being offered online, and includes an option to be questioned by phone or to submit a questionnaire by mail.
The survey includes questions on conservation, recreational opportunities and funding, and also asks about residents’ use of regional parks and trails, and their level of satisfaction with what is offered.
“I strongly encourage residents who get an invite for the CRD Regional Parks and Trails Resident Survey to participate,” said CRD board chair Colin Plant. “Feedback from residents is invaluable and provides essential data to help improve use of and access to our regional parks and trails system.”
Selected households will be given a participation code to initiate the survey online. The survey should be done by one person over 18 per household, and will take an estimated 15 to 25 minutes to complete
Information shared is confidential and participation is voluntary.
Victoria-based research firm R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. is delivering the survey on behalf of the CRD, with results to be available later this year.
Anyone whose household was not selected to receive notice of the survey and a participation code will have opportunities to engage with the CRD as the process unfolds, the regional district said.
The CRD has had a regional-parks system since 1966, and now has 33 parks covering 13,300 hectares.
Since 2000, the system has grown by about 4,900 hectares through the CRD’s Land Acquisition Fund, which operates via an annual levy that currently amounts to an average of $24 per household.
Details about public engagement in the CRD are available at https://getinvolved.crd.bc.ca.
